Sunday, March 8, 2015

FEMALE DRIVER INJURED IN CAR/TRAIN COLLISION IN ATHENS, ALABAMA







MARCH 7, 2015

ATHENS, LIMESTONE COUNTY, ALABAMA

An Athens woman was injured Saturday morning after colliding with a train at the McClellan Street crossing, the Athens Police Department reported.

Barbara Randolph, 65, was traveling west in her red Chevrolet Cavalier and passed a tractor-trailer that was stopped in the eastbound lane just east of the train tracks.  Police Chief Floyd Johnson said Randolph, who didn’t see the northbound train, was hit by the train’s engine.  The signal post was knocked down from the collision.

Athens police received the call at 6:47 a.m. Athens Fire Department also arrived on the scene.

After first responders extracted Randolph from her vehicle, Athens Limestone Ambulance service transported her to Athens Limestone Hospital. She was later flown by MedFlight helicopter to Huntsville Hospital, where she was in the surgical intensive care unit.

Johnson said he has not spoken to Randolph since the accident and the investigation into the accident is ongoing.

The train was stopped for inspection, which blocked traffic in downtown Athens.

Johnson said the train horn was blowing and the signal lights were working correctly prior and during the incident.  The investigation is ongoing.