Truck driver hurt as train, semi collide
Cab from semi-truck ends up in canal
Amiddle-aged male truck driver from Calgary was transported to Chinook Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a collision with a Canadian Pacific Railway train just east of Lethbridge Thursday.
Coaldale RCMP arrived on the scene along the Range Road 21-1 and Highway 3 intersection at approximately 9:40 a.m.
The initial investigation indicated the semi was travelling west along Highway 3 when it turned north onto Range Road 211 and crossed the train tracks as the eastbound train was approaching. “It appears the semi truck pulled in front of the train and there was a collision with the engine of the train striking the semi trailer,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Glen Henry. “The result of the collision was the cab, or semi unit, separating from the trailer.”
The empty trailer landed on the south side of the tracks and westbound traffic on Highway 3 was reduced to a single lane until approximately 12:30 p.m. as a result.
The cab, which was located in a canal of the St. Mary River irrigation district, was removed last as the Lethbridge Fire and EMS Hazmat Team and DBS Environmental worked on containing any potential diesel spill. Representatives from SMRID and Alberta Environment were present as well to monitor the spill.
Range Road 21-1 was blocked to traffic until late Thursday afternoon as a tow company worked on safely removing the semi.
The Canadian Pacific Railway Police has taken over the investigation and no further information was provided. Any potential charges will be laid by CP Rail Police.