3 train crew members hurt in Marietta collision with truck

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By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Three members of a freight train crew were taken to a local hospital Monday after their train struck a truck hauling scrap metal in Marietta, Channel 2 Action News reported.

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A view from Channel 2 Action News' helicopter shows the aftermath of a train-truck collision Monday afternoon in Marietta that sent three members of the train crew to a local hospital. The driver of the truck, which was hauling scrap metal, jumped from the cab before the train hit.

Channel 2 Action News, Channel 2 Action News A view from Channel 2 Action News' helicopter shows the aftermath of a train-truck collision Monday afternoon in Marietta that sent three members of the train crew to a local hospital. The driver of the truck, which was hauling scrap metal, jumped from the cab before the train hit.

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The accident happened about 4 p.m. at the CSX Transportation crossing in an industrial area near Loudermilk Drive and Marble Mill Road. A freight train struck a Blaze Recycling truck that had gotten stuck on the crossing, Marietta police said.

“The landing gear on the trailer got high-centered on the roadway – which basically trapped the truck on the tracks,” said Officer David Baldwin, spokesman for the Marietta Police Department.

“Witnesses saw it, and there were attempts to remove the truck from the tracks, but it was wedged on there pretty good,” Baldwin said. A train came around the bend and couldn’t stop, he said, “and it ended up T-boning the 18-wheeler.”

The impact severed the truck’s cab from its trailer and damaged at least one of the railroad tracks at the crossing. The truck driver was out of the cab when the train hit and was not hurt.

Three crew members on the train complained of neck and back pains and were taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital to be examined, police said. No citations had been issued as of Monday night.