The Buffalo County Sheriff’ sOffice has identified the victim of Thursday’s vehicle-train crash on Highway 30 in eastern Kearney as 72-year-old Ronald D. Ayers of Kearney. Cap. Bob Anderson says it occured around 12:30pm as a Union Pacific Railroad train was backing up on a railroad service track that crosses the highway. As the train was backing, it collided with the westbound van causing significant damage to the van. The driver of the van, Ayers, was deceased at the scene. The only other occupant was an adult female, who reported no injury.
Cap. Anderson says the ivestigation is ongoing at this time. An autopsy has been ordered by the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office. The section of highway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Kearney Police Department, Kearney / Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation (FAIT) team, Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, CHI GSH Paramedics, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska State Department of Roads and Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.
