Train Strikes Private Bus In Colorado Springs
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Updated: 8:01 PM Dec 15, 2009
Train Strikes Private Bus In Colorado Springs
Three passengers were able to get out of a private bus that police say was high centered on a set of tracks, meaning some tires weren't touching the ground. A train was heading straight for it.
Posted: 2:20 AM Dec 15, 2009
Reporter: KKTV
Email Address: news@kktv.com
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Three people were able to get out of a private bus Tuesday that police say was high centered on a set of tracks, meaning some tires weren't touching the ground. A train was heading straight for it.

Colorado Springs police say the accident happened just after midnight at Las Vegas and Royer streets south of downtown Colorado Springs.

City Traffic Engineer Dave Krauth says the city is now looking at ways to make the railroad crossing safer.

"we are looking at it. Are additional restrictions needed? But, we also need to rule out that the vehicle was an appropriate vehicle," said Dave Krauth.

According to police, the driver tried to get the bus to break free but was unsuccessful. "They had I think about three minutes to try to get off the track," said Sgt. Mary Rosenoff of the Colorado Springs Police Department. " The wheels didn't have any traction, so they got off the bus."

The bus caught fire once the train made impact with it. When emergency crews arrived they quickly realized nobody was on the bus during the crash. Fire crews put out the fire quickly. It took more than four hours for the scene to be cleared.

The train involved had some damage as well. " It wasn't derailed," said Rosenoff. " It had very slight damage to the front engine. After a while it continued on its way."

No one was injured. The accident is still under investigation.

The bus, said to have been in the middle of a cross-country tour, came from California.

Krauth says some of the options to make the railroad crossing safer include improving the intersection, moving the cross further down the road or closing the railroad crossing all together.

"We would love to fix it, but it comes at a cost," said Krauth.

Krauth says it would cost $1.5 million to improve the intersection. Crews would actually raise Las Vegas to make it level with the railroad tracks.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Julia Location: Nashville on Dec 18, 2009 at 01:15 AM

Well,unfortunately in this business of touring and trucking,we do travel routes that you personally may not consider "commercial" but the fact is,freight is moved on any road that doesn't have height or weight limitations.So,your inadiquate railroad crossing probably isn't listed as a restriction until you arrive,and then the lenghth restriction is CLEARLY WRONG! Maybe one of you highly intelligent people should have the THE SIGN CHANDED AND PROVIDE A TURN AROUND! JUST SO YOU KNOW!
Posted by: Bob Location: C/S on Dec 16, 2009 at 01:27 PM

Ed, I am very fam,iliar with the area, and it is still not a comercial vehicle route a tour bus falls in that category, so still STUPIDITY of the highest order.
Posted by: Jonna Location: The desert on Dec 16, 2009 at 01:16 PM

just how does it get stranded? look at the video wise one....it was night time and the tracks are much higher than the road. Get a life and go post some more dumb comments on other news stories
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