(Orrick, Missouri – June 23, 2015)
A Carrollton, MO dump truck driver was seriously injured at about 10:45 AM, CDT when his vehicle attempted to cross the Pigg Lane grade crossing of Norfolk Southern railroad tracks just east of Orrick, MO and was struck by a NS freight train.
Clifford Burkhart was airlifted to North Kansas City Hospital, where he was admitted in serious condition, when he became the third injured motorist in what Federal Railroad Administration records indicate was the third collision to occur between trains and trucks at the intersection which FRA shows to be absent of any form of passive signs or active signals.
The FRA lists the NS/Pigg Lane crossing as “private.” Also according to FRA, the crossing sees a daily average of 17 trains at a top allowable speed of 60 mph.
The accident was still under investigation from both the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Ray County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday.