MARCH 21, 2015
IBERIA, OHIO
A 9-year-old boy is dead and his father is in the hospital
with non-life-threatening injuries after their vehicle collided with a CSX
train Saturday morning in northern Morrow County.
Benjamin Berry, 42, of Galion was transported to Grant
Hospital in Columbus. Gage Berry, 9, was pronounced dead at the scene,
according to the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol. Gage was a back seat passenger in the vehicle.
The crash occurred about 8:30 a.m. on County Road 32 about 2
miles north of the village of Iberia, according to Sgt. Jason Murfield of the
Mount Gilead post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.
A vehicle traveling southbound and the train was traveling
westbound," said Murfield. "The vehicle went across the tracks and
was struck by the train."
Murfield described the driver's injuries as "not
life-threatening injuries, but serious injuries." By 11 a.m. the scene was
secure as the investigation continued.
"We'll probably be here another hour or so collecting
evidence," Murfield said.
The train was traveling approximately 36 miles per hour when
the collision occurred.
"The conductor and the engineer both seem to be OK, but
they're shaken up, of course," Murfield said.
There were no visibility issues, according to the patrol.
There are no gates at the crossing.
Murfield said drivers need to be cautious when driving near
railroad tracks.
"We tell people to treat a crossing like they would a
four-way stop," Murfield said. "You need to come to a stop, take your
time and treat the train tracks as a stop sign."
"Our hearts go out to the family. It's tragic
especially when a child is involved," he said.
There was minor damage to the left side of the train and
"it came to a complete stop" after the crash, Murfield said.
"In rural counties there are a lot of train tracks
without gates. Please stop and proceed safely."
The railroad crossing was posted with stop signs and did not
have cross bars at the tracks. The train remained on the tracks and there was
no loss of its cargo. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in this
crash. The crash remains under investigation by the patrol post, according to
the news release.
Source: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com