(Bloomington, Illinois – July 25, 2011)
A trucker escaped with his life Monday afternoon about 5:45 P.M. when his vehicle was hit by a Norfolk Southern freight train at the dangerous, unguarded crossing of West Locust Street and NS rails.
The crossing is heavily enshrouded with groves of trees in both directions of train approach, and has no lights, bells or gates to protect drivers and their passengers from oncoming trains, relying totally on passive crossbuck signs. The train hit the truck at the front bumper, spinning it off the crossing and dazing the driver.