ANSELMO – The Custer County Sheriff’s Office says a Minden man was injured when his semi was struck by a train during last week’s blizzard conditions.
According to an accident report, the crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday, March 25, southeast of Anselmo.
A semi, driven by James Gillespie of Minden, was attempting to cross the railroad tracks on Road 429 just north of Highway 2. The tractor portion of the semi got stuck on the north set of dual tracks and Gillespie was unable to move it. He contacted his company’s dispatch, but BNSF did not receive word in time to stop a train traveling northbound.
The train struck the semi on its passenger side and ejected Gillespie through the driver side door. The locomotive pushed the cab of the truck nearly 1,500 feet before it was finally able to stop while the dual trailers were left on the south track of the crossing.
Gillespie was transported to Melham Medical Center in Broken Bow with severe injuries.
Trumbull Towing and Hunters Towing were able to remove the debris and the scene was cleared by 2:43 a.m.
