In a shocking incident in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, a BNSF train crashed into a semi-truck that was stuck on the railroad tracks, causing a derailment. Videos of the incident were captured and show the dramatic scene. Cleanup operations are still ongoing a day after the crash.
The collision occurred at around 5:00 PM local time on August 21, 2023, at the intersection of LA Highway 182 and Airport Boulevard. As a result, the police had to close off the area and redirect traffic. Initially, the authorities evacuated the surrounding area for safety reasons, but people were allowed back after two hours.
The video above combines two separate clips. The first clip starts just as the train is about to hit the semi-truck, followed by a massive cloud of smoke that obscures the area. The second clip provides a better view of the vehicle stuck on the railroad crossing and the ensuing collision.
Motor1.com reached out to BNSF for a statement regarding the incident. According to a spokesperson from the railway company, “At approximately 5 PM CST on Monday, a train struck a semi-truck that was occupying the Airport Boulevard crossing in New Iberia, Louisiana. This resulted in the derailment of 20 railcars and two locomotives, which were carrying mixed freight including plastic pellets. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, and no hazardous materials were compromised. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Highway 182 is closed in both directions from the Iberia Parish line to Darby Lane while BNSF personnel work alongside local law enforcement to clear the incident.”
In addition to the plastic pellets, the train was also transporting acrylic acid. “That commodity was not compromised,” confirmed a BNSF spokesperson to Motor1.com.
A separate statement on BNSF’s website indicates that the estimated time for reopening the main track is Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 4:00 AM.
According to The Daily Iberian, a local newspaper, the semi-truck driver managed to escape the vehicle before the crash. While some debris struck a white van, fortunately, no one inside the van was injured.