The following news article from the Associated Press was found on the FOXNews.com web site. I hope all our readers always remember to STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN at all railroad crossings, especially those with no lights, bells, or gates.
Car Crashes Into 'Santa Express' Train, Two Killed
Sunday , December 09, 2007
Associated Press
ISABELLA TOWNSHIP, Mich. —
A car crashed into a train that was carrying mostly children to a visit with Santa Claus, killing two people in the car.
No one was injured among the 67 passengers Saturday on the "Santa Express" train, which was traveling from Mount Pleasant to Clare, about 16 miles away, where Santa was to join the group, authorities said.
Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said investigators don't yet know how fast the car was going. It struck part of the train's engine, which was hauling three cars, he said.
The train's passengers were in the rear car, he said.
The crash happened at a railroad crossing north of Mount Pleasant. Authorities said the crossing has a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign to warn drivers, but no warning lights.
The Isabella County sheriff's department said the 31-year-old woman driving the car and one of her passengers were killed. Another passenger was hospitalized with broken bones.