A person was killed when the sedan he drove was hit by a freight train in Maple Ridge on the morning of Aug. 27.
Collisions with trains are infrequent, but this was the second in Maple Ridge in just two days.
A witness said an eastbound freight train hit a sedan that was crossing the tracks on River Road, just south of the 25800-block of the Lougheed Highway, killing the driver.
The day before, 0n Aug. 26, first responders raced to a train crossing just east of 272 Street and Lougheed Highway, where a commercial truck was also struck by an eastbound train.
The driver of that truck was airlifted to hospital, and was reported to need at least three surgeries.
He had been driving a bin truck across an uncontrolled crossing, when the crash occurred.
Train-vehicle collisions are relatively rare in Canada, with about 18-20 fatalities per year, and many more injuries.
September brought Rail Safety Week across the country to teach people how to stay safe around trains and tracks. Every September, Canadian National Railway, (CN Rail), promotes the week in communities throughout Canada and informs people about the risks of trespassing and not obeying signs and signals at crossings, as well as offering other helpful tips to avoid preventable injuries or deaths.
“Railway crossing and trespassing incidents can have catastrophic, life-changing results,” said Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, chief coroner with BC Coroners Service.
“Staying alert and making safe choices around railways can save your life and the lives of others,” he added.