Pennsylvania Dump Truck Driver Seriously Injured at Unguarded, Private Norfolk Southern Crossing
(Nazareth, Pennsylvania – April 11, 2018)
An as-yet unidentified dump truck driver received serious head injuries Wednesday afternoon about 3:47 P.M., EDT when his empty, heavy-duty, triple-axel dump truck was struck by a southbound Norfolk Southern local freight train. The train consisted of two locomotives hauling five empty cars. The collision occurred at a dangerous and unguarded rail crossing on the property of Lehigh Cement Co. in Lower Nazareth Township, PA.
The owner-operator of the dump truck, whose name was not released by law enforcement authorities, was transported by ground ambulance to St. Luke’s University Hospital-Fountain Hill where he was admitted in serious condition for treatment of major head trauma.
The Allentown-bound train was the only train using the crossing where train speeds are limited to 25 mph or less (railroad authorities said the train was moving at less than 20 mph), as the line is used daily for local service.
A similar, but non-injury collision occurred at the same private crossing in July 1997.
The crossing, which is concealed within the superstructure of the cement plant, is not equipped with any active warning devices, such as lights and gates or a flag-person to warn of the oncoming train.
