Greenmountain Farmer
Gold Member
Train kills backhoe driver
Written By Administrator
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Second man in hospital, listed in ç´*air condition;
By LEON THOMPSON& MICHELLE MONROE
Messenger Staff Writers
ST. ALBANS TOWN 末 One man died and another sustained serious injuries here Tuesday after a train hit a backhoe on a private rail crossing.
Gregory W. Crawford, 78, of Williston, sustained severe head trauma to his head and upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, the Franklin County Sheriffe's Office said this morning.
Shain B. Parker, 28, also of Williston, suffered head injuries and was transported to the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans before rescue workers transported him to Fletcher Allen Health Care, in Burlington, where he was in fair condition late this morning.
The accident occurred west of U.S. 7 near the boundary line of St. Albans Town and Georgia. The Route 7 overpass is visible from the scene of the fatality.
According to the Franklin County Sheriffce's Office, a southbound freight train towing seven empty rail cars struck a John Deere backhoe operated by Crawford, who was traveling west in an attempt to cross the tracks. The incident is still under investigation.
Parker was walking beside the backhoe on the south side of the machine, which struck him after the train hit it. Reportedly, Parker walked from the scene to a nearby house stunned and covered in blood where a resident called authorities.
The men were apparently performing contractual work for Tim Camisa, a local entrepreneur, according to Jack Brigham, a dairy farmer and former St. Albans Town selectman. Brigham sold the property to Camisa last December.
Contacted by phone this morning, Camisa would only confirm that the men were from Williston. Brigham said Camisa hired the workers to build a greenhouse and barn.
I almost got clipped there once, Brigham said this morning. Its a bad spot.
Scott Williams, spokesperson for New England Central Railroad (NECR) and RailAmerica, NECR parent company, said the locomotive heading to Burlington is referred to as a "switcher" and not intended to travel long distances.
RailAmerica is still performing an internal investigation, but police have estimated the train was traveling at 20 to 25 miles per hour.
Asked who was responsible for the crossing, Williams said the company is still investigating. We don't believe there was an agreement for the crossing, he said.
Tom in Vermont
Written By Administrator
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Second man in hospital, listed in ç´*air condition;
By LEON THOMPSON& MICHELLE MONROE
Messenger Staff Writers
ST. ALBANS TOWN 末 One man died and another sustained serious injuries here Tuesday after a train hit a backhoe on a private rail crossing.
Gregory W. Crawford, 78, of Williston, sustained severe head trauma to his head and upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, the Franklin County Sheriffe's Office said this morning.
Shain B. Parker, 28, also of Williston, suffered head injuries and was transported to the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans before rescue workers transported him to Fletcher Allen Health Care, in Burlington, where he was in fair condition late this morning.
The accident occurred west of U.S. 7 near the boundary line of St. Albans Town and Georgia. The Route 7 overpass is visible from the scene of the fatality.
According to the Franklin County Sheriffce's Office, a southbound freight train towing seven empty rail cars struck a John Deere backhoe operated by Crawford, who was traveling west in an attempt to cross the tracks. The incident is still under investigation.
Parker was walking beside the backhoe on the south side of the machine, which struck him after the train hit it. Reportedly, Parker walked from the scene to a nearby house stunned and covered in blood where a resident called authorities.
The men were apparently performing contractual work for Tim Camisa, a local entrepreneur, according to Jack Brigham, a dairy farmer and former St. Albans Town selectman. Brigham sold the property to Camisa last December.
Contacted by phone this morning, Camisa would only confirm that the men were from Williston. Brigham said Camisa hired the workers to build a greenhouse and barn.
I almost got clipped there once, Brigham said this morning. Its a bad spot.
Scott Williams, spokesperson for New England Central Railroad (NECR) and RailAmerica, NECR parent company, said the locomotive heading to Burlington is referred to as a "switcher" and not intended to travel long distances.
RailAmerica is still performing an internal investigation, but police have estimated the train was traveling at 20 to 25 miles per hour.
Asked who was responsible for the crossing, Williams said the company is still investigating. We don't believe there was an agreement for the crossing, he said.
Tom in Vermont
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