Three occupants of a vehicle are lucky to be alive after their car slammed into a CP train on Sunday.
Emergency crews were called to the collision just south of Ponoka off Highway 2A at the railway crossing on Township Road 424 around 2 p.m.
Ponoka RCMP Const. Mike Goss said a sedan travelling west was crossing the tracks when the northbound train made first contact with the front of the vehicle.
“And then spun around and struck the rear,” said Goss.
The car was unable to stop in time before the intersection due to the icy road conditions, said Goss
The vehicle landed into the ditch east of the tracks. The collision pushed the car into the railway crossing lights, which damaged and upended them.
“The vehicle is not believed to be exceeding (speed limits) but the roads were packed with snow,” he said.
All three occupants had minor injuries and were taken to the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre for evaluation.
Goss said police believe all occupants were wearing seat belts.
He said the main cabin of the vehicle was “not significantly damaged,” which helped the occupants.
Dennis Jones, Ponoka County Regional fire chief, said the train was travelling at such a rate that it eventually stopped about three miles north of the collision.
The crossing has since been opened to traffic.
The incident is under investigation.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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