FAIRBURN, Ga. — A crash involving a train and big rig occurred on Thursday afternoon in Fairburn, Ga., just south of Atlanta.
Fairburn Police Chief Anthony Bazydlo told a local Atlanta news station that the crash happened around 1:45 p.m. along Highway 29 near Bishop Road.
According to Fox 5 in Atlanta, a tractor-trailer became stuck on the tracks as a train was approaching, forcing the truck driver to ditch the vehicle.
“The truck had gotten stuck on it and he could not get cleared in time before the train was also coming at the same time,” Bazydlo said. “He had time to get out of the truck and get clear from the scene before the train hit the truck.”
The train plowed into the semi, demolishing the cab, igniting a fire. Two people were on board the train at the time of the collision.
Fox 5 reported that one person on the train suffered minor injuries. The truck driver was unhurt.
Bazydlo said things could have ended much worse. The train is “not going to stop and they don’t stop quickly.”
“Certainly, there was the potential for loss of life in a situation like this both with the impact and subsequent fire,” Bazydlo said.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
