‘Like a bomb going offโ: Train crashes into semitruck hauling military vehicle
Incident Overview
In a nerve-wracking incident, a train collided with a tractor-trailer that was parked, carrying a military vehicle in Goose Creek, South Carolina. The accident took place around midday on Liberty Hall Road with no reported injuries, affirming a rare sense of relief amidst the chaos.
An Unfortunate Collision
Around 12:40 p.m. Thursday, the Goose Creek Police Department received notification about a train crashing into a “lowboy semi-truck”. The semi-truck was stationary on the train tracks when the collision occurred. Witnesses said the semi truck’s trailer got stuck on the railroad tracks and despite desperate attempts, it was unable to clear the train’s path.
The rail-crossing incident caused a temporary road closure on Liberty Hall and Red Bank Roads. The scene was carefully controlled and managed by the Goose Creek Police who informed the public later that evening that all roads were back open.
Eye-Witness Report
Sonya Pitt, an eyewitness, described the incident as disturbing. In her words, “At that point, the arms started coming down, and we rushed towards the truck hoping to alert the driver. He was able to abandon his vehicle just in time before the train collided with the stationary truck. It was like a bomb going off.”
Military Equipment Involved
Authorities believe that the military vehicle aboard the semi-truck was an M109 howitzer. This incident could have led to potential harm to the general public if the situation escalated further due to the explosive nature of the military vehicle.
Underscoring Safety Measures
Further investigations are underway to identify the cause of the accident. A representative for the train company, CSX, emphasized their commitment to safety and expressed gratitude for the swift response from Goose Creek Police and Fire Department.
In an official statement, CSX said, “Safety is our top priority. Weโd like to remind motorists to pay attention and adhere to posted signs and warnings while approaching rail crossings.”
