Propane Truck and Train Collide Killing Driver

Christina Cole

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Late Monday, firefighters were still attempting to control the fiery wreckage of a propane delivery truck that collided with a train on Monday in Morgan County.

An AmeriGass employee's wife said a company official told her that the body of her husband was found beneath the truck but rescue was not able to get to it. "He's dead, trapped beneath the truck," said his wife through tears. "They will not be able to get him until they can contain the gas."

Authorities had not confirmed that anyone was in the propane truck that was on fire when the trucking accident occurred. Firefighters were not able to get within 200 to 300 feet of the blaze. Over twenty-five fire departments had been called on to bring water to the site and to battle nearly 4 acres of forest fire that was started by the crash. Airspace was restricted around the scene for fear of explosion said the director of Morgan County Emergency Management Agency.

Alabama state troopers were also called to the scene. The trucking accident occurred when the propane truck was on Wilhite Road traveling west near Cullman County line. As the truck approached the crossing it left the road for some reason and collided with the train. The collision happened outside the crossing area. The crossing gates has lights though authorities aren't sure whether they were functioning correctly at the time of the accident.

The propane truck was pushed over 1000 feet southward before coming to rest on the tracks. The truck which delivers liquid propane to homes and businesses had an estimated 3,000 gallon capacity and was carrying approximately 2,000 gallons when the collision occurred.