DANFORTH, Maine — County, state and federal officials continue to investigate a collision between a freight train and tractor-trailer in Danforth on Wednesday night.
The Washington County Regional Communication Center received multiple 911 calls at about 7:20 p.m. reporting that a train had collided with a fuel truck on Route 1, causing multiple explosions and a partial derailment, according to a press release issued Thursday by Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis.
When first responders arrived on scene, however, they found that a log truck loaded with logs had struck the middle of the train and burst into flames, Curtis reported. He said firefighters were able to put the fire out and determined that no hazardous materials were involved.
Investigators determined that the NB Southern Railway train operated by Zachary Sanders, 33, of Corinth, was traveling south when it was struck by the loaded log truck that was headed south on Route 1 toward Woodland.
-
- A loaded log truck heading south on Route 1 in Danforth collided with an NB Southern Railway freight train at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday. No one was injured, according to police. (Courtesy/Washington County Sheriff’s Office)
The truck driver Marshall Campbell, 64, of Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada, “was able to make it out of the truck and appeared not to be injured as a result of the crash,” Curtis said in the release. No one on the train reported any injuries.
The sheriff said that the emergency lights at the crossing were working at the time of the crash and that it was unclear why Marshall didn’t stop. He said speed and alcohol do not appear to be involved, though the accident remains under investigation.
One box car left the rails and traveled some 70 feet into brush on the southern side of the tracks, according to the release, which did not indicate what cargo was being hauled by the freight train.
The conductor apparently was not immediately aware of the collision. Sanders told investigators that after the train lost power he walked about a half mile back along the tracks to find the truck on fire.
NB Southern Railway is part of New Brunswick and Maine Railways, which in turn is a member of the J.D. Irving, Limited group of companies.
-
- This loaded log truck collided with an NB Southern Railway freight train at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday on Route 1 in Danforth. No one was injured, according to police. (Courtesy/Washington County Sheriff’s Office)
Members of the fire and ambulance departments from Danforth, Princeton, Indian Township and Baileyville responded to the incident.
Members of the sheriff’s office, Maine State Police Commercial Enforcement Division, Washington County Emergency Management Agency, Maine Department of Transportation, and Maine Department of Environmental Protection and officials from NB Southern Railway also were on scene.
Officials with the Federal Railroad Administration also are investigating the accident.
Route 1 in Danforth about 7/10ths of a mile north of the Brookton town line was shut down as crews worked through the night and was reopened at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, according to Curtis.
