Emergency crews working train vs. 18-wheeler crash in Red River Parish
RED RIVER PARISH (KSLA) – U.S. Highway 84 in Red River Parish could be closed for the next two days after a Union Pacific train hit an 18-wheeler, derailing more than a dozen train cars.
Louisiana State Police say the train's conductor was air lifted to LSU Hospital with unknown injuries. A conductor trainee and the 18-wheeler driver were transported by ambulance to LSU Hospital.
Police say the semi was traveling east on Hwy. 84 and was attempting to cross the tracks, but the semi's trailer didn't clear the rails in time and was struck by the oncoming train. The crash derailed four locomotive engines, 15 freight train cars, and crushed the trailer and cab of the truck.
Union Pacific says that particular crossing only has flashing red lights and no crossing arms, but the lights were working at the time of the accident.
Union Pacific also says the train was not carrying any hazardous cargo. It's not known what the 18-wheeler was hauling.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation says Highway 84 at Highway 1 is closed because of the accident. Drivers will need to detour around the accident by using I-49.
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