there was a big article in the paper about it today. The trains around here are constantly going through the intersections without stopping and letting someone stop traffic (which is their policy). It was a dump truck carrying about 75,000 pounds of gravel and there is a slight decline in the road just before the tracks. he couldn't stop in time. he jumped out of the truck just before it hit. if anyone wants to read the full article, here it is:
Truck, train collide in Dartmouth
By JOHN DOHERTY, Standard-Times staff writer
DARTMOUTH -- Leaping from the cab moments before his dump truck smashed into a rolling freight train, Nelson Furtado walked away with minor injuries from a railroad crossing long seen by town officials as a tragedy waiting to happen.
Mr. Furtado, 30, of New Bedford was driving north on Faunce Corner Road yesterday shortly before 3 p.m. when his 10-wheel dump truck collided with an east-bound freight train.
The collision tore a hole in the train's engine car, spilling much of the 1,500 gallons of diesel on board and tying up traffic on the busy thoroughfare off Interstate 195.
Mr. Furtado, his truck weighed down with 75,000 pounds of dirt and gravel, was unable to stop the truck as it approached the tracks on a slight downhill grade, said Dartmouth police spokesman Kenneth Cotta.
Mr. Furtado was transported to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises and released.
The crossing on Faunce Corner Road has neither the lowering gates common at many railroad intersections, nor the flashing lights that warn drivers of oncoming trains' approach.
Only painted "RR Crossing" signs on the road surface of both lanes indicate the crossing.
Residents have complained for years that the CSX company's trains that use the tracks to deliver freight through Southeastern Massachusetts do not always observe the "stop and protect" policy in place at the crossing.
Trains are supposed to stop, and a conductor or other personnel is to walk into the road, stop traffic and then bring the train across Faunce Corner Road.
CSX officials could not be reached last night.
Yesterday, Joseph Luiz, Mr. Furtado's employer, said confusion caused the accident yesterday.
He spoke with Mr. Furtado at St. Luke's emergency room.
As he approached the tracks, Mr. Furtado noticed the train stopped shortly before the intersection, Mr. Luiz said.
But vehicle traffic continued across the tracks, and no one was in the road stopping traffic, Mr. Luiz said.
Mr. Furtado continued across the intersection, but the train, too, began to roll through.
According to Mr. Luiz, the 30-year-old truck driver sounded his horn, but the train continued.
Mr. Furtado hit the brakes, but he was unable to stop, he said.
"I don't know if he had brakes or what," said Mr. Luiz. "But a truck carrying a load like that doesn't stop on a dime."
Mr. Furtado leapt from the cab, and his truck continued on, striking the engine car and then uncoupling the freight cars behind.
State police, Dartmouth police and fire, and the state hazardous-materials truck responded to the accident and the fuel spill.
In 1999, town officials called for lights and perhaps gates to be installed at the crossing.
Once a seldom-traveled road, the north section of Faunce Corner Road now hosts several medical offices, the Vanity Fair clothing store, the Southern New England School of Law and the Bristol County Sheriff's Department.
Traffic, especially in the late afternoon, is as heavy on this stretch of road as it is further down Faunce Corner by the malls and restaurants.
For Mr. Luiz, this was the second time a friend was struck by a train here.
In 1970, his friend Daniel Ferguson, then a star high-school athlete, was struck by a train on Faunce Corner Road at night while driving a pick-up.
He, too, escaped relatively unscathed.
"They spend millions developing this road and don't put any lights up," said Mr. Luiz. "I think it's time.
