23 February 2007
Semi Trapped on Tracks, Totaled by Train
Maple Ridge firefighters absorb diesel spilling from a logging
truck that was hit by a train at Lougheed Highway and 287th Street on Wednesday. The driver of the truck got out before the collision and
was not injured. Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows RCMP said the truck was waiting to enter a saw mill, by Waldun Forest Products, at
the crossing near 287th Street at around 1:25 p.m., when it became trapped under the crossing arm. The impact pushed the truck onto a
concrete barrier, ripping off the train crossing arm, and scattering cedar logs onto the road.
Maple Ridge British Columbia - A frantic driver taking a load
of cedar shakes across the railway tracks got stuck early Wednesday afternoon when the crossing arms at 287 Street in Maple Ridge came
down, trapping the truck on the railway tracks.
The driver tried to push the arms up, but quickly got out of the way when a train came rushing through and hit the truck, which was
totaled.
The train, which was westbound on its way to the Canadian Pacific intermodal yard in Pitt Meadows, apparently suffered minor damages. The
wood was loaded off the trailer, which was not damaged, and taken to Waldun Forest Products.
The driver, who refused to give his name, took a variety of items, including a blanket and tools, from the remains of the truck. He said
he was OK.
Railway police, RCMP and firefighters attended the scene, and were there for several hours to help with the cleanup.
The incident caused thousands of dollars in damage to the crossing.
Motor Vehicles Act charges are pending against the driver, said Ridge Meadows RCMP on Thursday.
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