Driver tells Vernon RCMP he didn’t hear alarms, didn’t see flashing lights before hitting train

VERNON – Alarms and flashing lights apparently didn’t stop a man from driving into a moving train Monday evening in Vernon.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says police were notified of the collision just after 6 p.m., Aug. 10.

When officers arrived, the train was blocking the roadway at 43 Avenue and 31 Street. All lights and bells were going off at the crossing, Molendyk says. A Toyota car was stopped by the crossing with its front bumper torn off. 

“The driver told police he turned right off 32 Street onto 43 Avenue and was listening to music and he did not hear the alarms for the train crossing and did not see the lights flashing,” Molendyk says. “He tried to stop at the last second, but not before the train crossed and ripped the front bumper off the car.”

There was no other damage to the vehicle, and the uninjured driver was able to drive it from the scene. There was no damage to the train.

A caller who declined to give his name contacted Infonews.ca after publication claiming to be the driver involved. He says he saw the flashing lights and heard the alarms, but couldn't stop in time due to a brake malfunction. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 3:38 p.m. Aug. 11, 2015, to include statements made by the driver of the vehicle. 

— This story was corrected at 6:24 a.m. Aug. 12 to say the incident ocurred on 43 Avenue, not 48 Avenue.