MERNA – Between 2:30 and 3 p.m. on Monday, July 11 a vehicle accident was reported at the intersection of Road 431 and Highway 2 in between Merna and Anselmo. First responders arrived within twenty minutes.
On the scene, KCNI/KBBN witnessed several emergency vehicles from the Anselmo Volunteer Fire Department, a Custer County Sheriff’s truck, and vehicles from the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Two additional Anselmo Fire Department trucks were leaving the scene as KCNI/KBBN arrived.
According to Custer County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Adam Miller, a silver pickup truck was hit by the oncoming westbound Burlington Northern train.
Two passengers were in the vehicle; one was transported by ambulance off the scene, the other by helicopter, Miller said.
Traffic on Highway 2 outside of Merna was slowed significantly, to allow space and passage for emergency vehicles in addition to the ongoing road construction.