Train Slams Into Car at Upstate New York Railroad Crossing

A train collided with a car at a railroad crossing in Upstate New York, and thankfully, everyone inside the vehicle appears to have escaped with only minor injuries.

If you've ever approached a railroad crossing, noticed that a train was coming, and thought about racing through to beat it, you should probably think again so something like this doesn't happen to you.

Train Hits Car in Catskill, NY

Train Hits Car at Railroad Crossing in Catskill, NY

According to the Catskill Fire Company, it happened at approximately 10:31 a.m. Tuesday morning when a CSX locomotive struck a passenger vehicle at a non-gated railroad crossing behind Haines Garage in Catskill, NY.

First responders who arrived at the scene said the vehicle pulled directly in front of the train as it entered the crossing area.

Despite the fact that the vehicle took a direct hit from the locomotive, firefighters said both the driver and passenger appeared to have only minor injuries. That's an incredibly lucky outcome considering how dangerous a collision between a car and a train can be.

Train Hits Car in Catskill, NY

The train eventually came to a complete stop, with the lead engine coming to rest approximately one-eighth of a mile from the railroad crossing.

Thankfully, this incident did not turn into something much worse.

What to Do at Railroad Crossings in New York

The Catskill Fire Company used the incident as an important reminder for anyone who drives across railroad tracks, especially at crossings that don't have gates or warning arms. If you come to a railroad crossing and don't see a gate coming down, that does not mean it is safe to simply drive across. Drivers need to stop, look, and listen before crossing the tracks.

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They also pointed out that a train physically cannot and will not stop for you. A train is also much larger and heavier than your vehicle, meaning even if the engineer sees you, there may be very little they can do to avoid a collision.

The details surrounding exactly why the vehicle entered the crossing in front of the train have not been released.

For now, the biggest takeaway from this scary incident is a simple one: slow down and make sure the tracks are clear before crossing. A few extra seconds of caution could make all the difference.