By Lisa Harding
A near fatal accident involving a car and a train occurred in Springville Tuesday, leaving a woman trapped inside her car.
A 37-year-old female was driving westbound on U.S. 89 at the railway crossing near 800 S. Main St. in Springville, when a northbound train struck her vehicle. The front of the train hit the front of the woman's car, causing it to hit the pole holding the Railroad Crossing Lights. The car finally skidded to a stop against a control box near the tracks.
When police and emergency crews arrived, the vehicle was so badly mangled crews from the Springville Fire Department had to extricate the woman from the car.
Lt. Dell Gordon from the Springville Police reported the victim was in serious condition when rescue teams arrived.
"She had some pretty severe injuries to the legs, neck and head," Gordon said. "I'm no expert, but she was in pretty critical condition when we sent her to the hospital." The woman was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
Gordon reported that there are no barriers at this particular railway crossing, and only flashing lights separate drivers from the oncoming trains. This can be particular hazardous when compounded with wintry road conditions.
"The sun was pretty bright this morning," Gordon said. "It's very possible that she couldn't see the lights or she might have slipped on the ice."
Gordon said the scene where the accident occurred typically sees heavy traffic and this it is not the first time an incident has occurred at the crossing.
Copyright Brigham Young University 30 Jan 2008
