Accident Report: Highway 2 Train Collision

ANSELMO – More information has come to light regarding Monday’s train collision between Merna and Anselmo on Highway 2 and Road 431.

The collision occurred at 2:27 p.m. between the westbound unloaded Burlington Northern train and a silver pickup turning off of Highway 2 onto Road 431, 4.7 miles east of Anselmo.

The driver, James Crouch, age 60 of Merna, proceeded across the railroad tracks, saw the oncoming train, and tried to reverse the vehicle out of the way, but parked it instead. The train struck the vehicle on the front passenger side, spinning it into a ditch between Highway 2 and Road 431. Crouch said his wife, Mary, 59, alerted him to the oncoming train. The truck was totaled.

According to the report released by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, both James and Mary survived the collision, though Mary was escorted by EMS Air to Great Plains Health in North Platte where she is recovering from suspected serious injuries.

Chief Deputy Adam Miller, the Anselmo Volunteer Fire Department, and Nebraska Department of Transportation workers had the scene cleared by 4:35 p.m.

 

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