MONROE TOWNSHIP, PA – A Norfolk Southern train derailed on September 12, 2013 after a crash with a tractor trailer in Monroe Township, PA. Monroe Township is located in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in the southern central part of the state about 17 miles southwest of Harrisburg.
The crash happened around 1:40 p.m. at the York Road rail crossing at Creek Road in Monroe Township, PA on September 12, 2013, when a tractor trailer, hauling a heavy concrete support beam traveling south on York Road, didn’t make it through the crossing in time and was struck by an oncoming Norfolk Southern train.
The collision shattered the concrete girder and destroyed the semi trailer and covered the front of one locomotive with an entangled mess of rebar and concrete debris.
The wreck also derailed several rail cars and at least one locomotive. Some of the derailed cars were carrying double-stacked containers.
One railroad worker was injured. The trucker was not injured.
All in all the mishap caused a shut-down of York Road for many hours while repir crews worked to make repairs and re-rail the locomotive and rail cars.
The semi truck was pulling a 135 foot load and was in the process of backing up to make the turn through the rail crossing when the signals were activated indicating the presence of an oncoming train.
The accident is currently under investigation.
Blog post by Gordon & Elias, a FELA lawyer and Pennsylvania railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.