Collision Occurs at Dangerous, Unguarded Canadian National Crossing
(Barron, Wisconsin — January 16, 2014)
A 53-year-old local resident had her vehicle heavily damaged Thursday morning at about 6:09 A.M. when she failed to see a Canadian National freight train at a dangerous and unguarded Barron, WI grade crossing which crossed a railroad on which service had been discontinued, possibly in 2007, but which was obviously resumed last year.
Darlene Demers could not see the approaching train, but threw on her brakes when she heard the train’s horn sounded at the North Mill Street crossing of CNR tracks, an intersection which has no active protective system such as flashing lights, bells and crossing gates.
Demers’ accident was the fifth to occur at the CN/Mill Street crossing. She was not injured and, in fact, called 911 herself to report the collision, but a half dozen drivers and vehicular passengers have suffered injury through four earlier accidents occurring at the intersection.
The line through Barron had been out of service for an unknown period of time, but evidently was re-opened in 2013, as an accident occurred at an adjacent crossing when a CN ballast regulator (rail-mounted track maintenance machine) collided with a highway vehicle last year.
EMT’s from the Mayo Clinic Health Systems were called to the scene by Barron Police to check the victim for injuries following the early morning collision.
