A train crashed into a vehicle that was stuck on the tracks just west of Interstate 205 early this morning, according to Gus Melonas, spokesman for BNSF Railway. No one was injured.
A vehicle went off of a private railroad crossing and got stuck on the tracks about a tenth of a mile east of the I-205 overpass at about 3:30 a.m. Monday, Melonas said.
The occupants of the vehicle, a man and woman, tried to turn the vehicle around but it became high-centered on the tracks, Melonas said.
One of the occupants called the phone number listed at the crossing, but when the dispatcher connected with the train crew, the train replied saying there was an emergency, Melonas said.
“It was just a matter of seconds that the situation could have been avoided,” Melonas said. “It was just unfortunate timing.”
The two people got out of the car before the westbound train, with four locomotives and 112 cars carrying grain, struck the vehicle, Melonas said. The train applied the emergency brake and sounded the horn, but it could not avoid the collision, Melonas said.
Vancouver Fire Department spokesman Joe Spatz said that there were no injuries or other hazards, so firefighters were not dispatched.
Railway traffic was delayed three hours as a tow truck removed the vehicle and BNSF employees inspected the train and tracks, Melonas said.
One locomotive had some damage to safety appliances and but after a mechanical inspection, continued north to Seattle, Melonas said.
BNSF police are continuing an investigation into the crash.
