(Alma, Kansas – September 13, 2011)
The Wabaunsee County Seat community of Alma, KS received considerable unwanted publicity Tuesday morning about 10:30 A.M. when an 18-wheeler became stuck on the crossing of Fourth Street and Union Pacific Railroad tracks and was struck and destroyed by a UP train several minutes later. The truck had just picked up groceries from Alma Cheese Co., and was headed for the Dillon’s Stores warehouse and distribution center in Hutchinson, KS.
As construction workers nearby commandeered a bulldozer to extricate the truck, Alma Police dispatchers attempted to contact UPRR authorities to stop all trains approaching Alma. Neither effort was successful, however, as a UPRR freight train smashed through the impaled trailer, scattering refrigerated dairy products, barbeque sauce, potato salad, chicken salad and pasta salad along the railroad right-of-way and adjacent properties.
Kansas State Highway Patrol troopers were assisting in the investigation of the accident as Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment arrived to join the remediation.
