FELA Lawyer News Blog

SCHERTZ, TX – A Union Pacific train crashed into a semi truck that was stuck on the tracks in Schertz, TX on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2011.

Schertz is located in Bexar County, Texas in the south-central part of the state about 20 miles northeast of San Antonio.

The accident occurred around 3:20 p.m. at the rail crossing at Farm to market 3009 and farm to Market 78 in Schertz.

The big rig was pulling a flatbed trailer and was hauling a crane for CPS Energy out of San Antonio at the time of the accident. The truck was demolished and the crane was laying upside down after the collision.

Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. The big rig driver managed to get out of the way in time, but the train’s conductor had to be taken to the emergency room. There are no details available on his condition. The conductor was to only railroad worker reported to have sustained injuries.

The conductor attempted to slow down the locomotive but was unable to stop it in time to avoid the crash. He tried multiple times to warn the big rig driver before it crashed into the 18 wheeler.

The 134 car train had three locomotives and did not derail in the mishap. Two of its locomotives used to power the entire train sustained heavy damage in the accident.

Some diesel fuel from the tractor trailer was spilled in the incident, but there were no reports of having to bring in a hazardous materials response team and no evacuations were ordered as a result.

It was reported by Union Pacific that the train crew saw that the trucker was attempting to dislodge the 18-wheeler by rocking the big rig back and forth across the tracks. The truck driver was unable to move the truck off the tracks by himself.

Union Pacific says that in a situation like this the trucker should just call 911 or use a UP emergency line. It could be possible to stop the train and avoid an accident if they receive word in time.

The railroad company expected that it would take three hours or more to clear the tracks.

The cause of the accident is not known at this time but is currently under investigation.

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FELA Lawyer News Blog is a FELA, train accident and personal injury blog that publishes up to date train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States. The Federal Employers ‘Liability Act, (FELA) allows injured railroad workers to recover compensation based on the negligence of the railroad company, in lieu of workers’ compensation. FELA defines negligence as the railroad company’s failure to use reasonable care.

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