Amtrak Crash In Dearborn
Dearborn (WWJ) - Some frightening moments in Dearborn, Friday afternoon, when an Amtrak train collided with a snow plow.
The accident happened at 12:10 p.m. on the tracks near Monroe Street, south of Michigan Avenue.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis reports that a City of Dearborn employee was aboard a small ulility tractor moving snow along a sidewalk when the blade of the plow became engaged with a rail on the train tracks.
Dearborn Police Sgt. Douglas Topolski said the operator, a 46 year-old Redford Township resident, attempted to disengage the plow blade and reverse the tractor but was unable to avoid being struck by the westbound train.
"She was kind of struggling to get all the snow out of there. So, I think maybe she just went a little too far out that way, and I think it might've clipped it. All I know is I heard like a boom," said Maria Lermer, who live just feet away from the tracks.
The Dearborn worker, whose name has not been released, was taken to Oakwood hospital for treatment of serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said he was relieved that the employee did not sustain more extensive injuries "given the potential for tragedy in this case."
Davis reports that the train came to a quick stop, and was waiting on the tracks with passengers still on board. No one on the train was hurt.
Dearborn Police and Fire officials responded to the scene, ahead of a tow truck that was working to remove the tractor from the train tracks.
