1 May 2007
1 Dead After Train Hits Van in B.C.
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van was hit by a CPR freight train at a controlled crossing
early Tuesday morning.
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Maple Ridge British Columbia - A man died after a Canadian
Pacific Railway freight train collided with his van at a controlled crossing at the border of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Tuesday
morning.
The victim's van was travelling south on Harris Road just after 7 a.m. PT when it was hit by the train.
A traffic arm at the crossing is broken off, said RCMP Cpl. Ryan Schlecker, adding it's too early to draw any conclusions from that.
"It's just too early in the investigation to tell at this point. We're going to download the information from the arms and from
the train, and that will all become part of the investigation."
But a CPR spokeswoman told CBC News the victim ignored the flashing lights at the crossing and drove through the traffic barrier arm.
"There were vehicles that did stop to obey the crossing's warnings and signals, and unfortunately in this situation, this driver
of this vehicle did not," said Breanne Feigel. "It does highlight the need for a continued focus for safety around
crossings."
The victim was not immediately identified. Police said he appeared to be in his early 30s.
The crash in the morning rush hour delayed two West Coast Express commuter trains on their trips to downtown Vancouver.
But a TransLink spokesman said CPR crews went to "extraordinary lengths" to clear the track and the passenger trains were
able to get through.
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