MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) – No injuries were reported when a pickup truck collided with a train in Menasha Friday morning.
Police Officer Nick Oleszak says it happened on Abby Avenue at Lawson Street.
“The driver stopped at the stop sign, didn’t see the train coming. The train struck the truck as it was crossing the tracks.”
Oleszak notes the preliminary investigation leads them to believe that the truck’s driver was at fault.
“Every indication is that the train was using warning bells, traveling within the speed limit for the area (10 miles-per-hour), and had its lights activated.”
He says the “truck was probably totaled, was folded in on itself, and pushed quite a ways down the tracks (roughly 100 feet).”
In addition, Oleszak notes there was damage to some nearby fencing. The train was fine.
He says they haven’t had issues at that intersection in the past, also noting that train versus vehicle accidents are rare in the city.
However, the officer still advises folks on how to avoid similar incidents going forward.
“Anytime you’re approaching railroad tracks: slow down, look left, right, and left again, just like if you were crossing the street on foot.”
