Train impact sends motorist to hospital with serious injuries

A CN train struck a mini-van last night sending a 54-year-old Kamloops woman to hospital with serious injuries.

The accident occurred just after 6 p.m. at a private crossing in Rayleigh and firefighters used the jaws of life to cut the woman, who was alone, free from the wreckage. She was rushed to Royal Inland Hospital with multiple broken bones and chest injuries and is listed in critical condition.

Investigators are not sure why the mini-van was stopped on the crossing or why it remained stationary as the east bound train approached. The train received minor damage and continued into Kamloops after the scene was cleared. Nobody aboard the train was injured. 

Alcohol and speed have been ruled out as a cause by investigators. RCMP is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the Traffic Section of the Kamloops detachment.