(Credit: Matthew C. Beatty/NPVFC)
At least two people were transported from the scene by VMSC Emergency Medical Services to Grand View Hospital
Update: 10:45 a.m.:
Lansdale Police Chief Mike Trail said Fairmount Fire Co. firefighters rescued two young male occupants from the pickup truck following a high-velocity crash at 2:50 a.m. Tuesday at the SEPTA crossing at Broad and Vine streets.
"Two young male members of our community were involved in the crash and are listed in critical condition at an area hospital ... our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families," Trail said at a Tuesday morning press conference. "Preliminary investigation determined the vehicle (driver) failed to yield to the red signal and failed to yield to the train crossing. They went around the arm, and struck the train."
Trail said, upon impact, one of the tanker wheels came off the track and caused a partial derailment. Police and SEPTA officials righted the tanker onto the track. There were no leaks from the crash.
"The gates were down," he said. "Three to four train cars had already passed the actual roadway."
At this time, investigators from SEPTA, the Pennsylvania Northeast Railroad, Lansdale Police, Lansdale Emergency Management, and Montgomery County Major Crimes Detectives are looking into the reason for the crash, Trail said.
"'Why' is a great puzzling question," Trail said at the conference, adding police will release updated details via email and Crimewatch.
South Broad Street reopened to traffic around 11 a.m.
Submitted photo.Original story below:
Emergency crews responded to a serious overnight crash in Lansdale involving a pickup truck and a freight train that has suspended regional rail service and sent two people to the hospital.
The incident occurred around 2:50 a.m. Tuesday when a white Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling southbound on South Broad Street struck a moving Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad freight train near East Main Street, just steps from Lansdale Station and the borough police department.
Authorities say the truck collided with a tank car — one of eight cars in the local W230 freight —derailing one set of wheels on the tank car. Locomotives positioned at both ends of the train were not damaged.
First responders arrived to find the truck engulfed in flames, and callers to 911 indicated at least one person may have initially been trapped inside. Two occupants were transported to the hospital for treatment, according to Montgomery County emergency dispatch. Their conditions have not been released.
According to Montgomery County emergency dispatch radio traffic, the first person was rescued from the truck at 3:18 a.m. VMSC Emergency Medical Services transported both patients with potentially life-threatening injuries with a trauma alert to Grand View Hospital, per emergency radio reports.
As of early Tuesday morning, SEPTA has suspended service on the Lansdale/Doylestown Regional Rail Line due to the proximity of the crash to Lansdale Station.
SEPTA released a statement on social media advising riders to seek alternative transportation:
“Doylestown: Service is suspended until further notice due to an accident involving a freight train and automobile near Lansdale Station. Alternate service suggestions are available using the SEPTA Trip Planner.”
Railroad and emergency personnel remain on scene as of 7 a.m., assessing damage and beginning recovery operations. It is unclear when service will be restored.
South Broad Street remains closed between Vine and Main streets.
Lansdale Police and Pennsylvania Northeastern officials are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.
According to Accuweather.com data, a severe thunderstorm rolled through Lansdale between 1:48 a.m. and 4 a.m., with the heaviest rain around 2:45 a.m.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
