On Friday evening, a devastating accident in South Dakota claimed two lives when an SUV collided with a train at a grade crossing. The vehicle crashed through a crossing gate, leading to a fiery impact with the moving train and subsequent derailment into a nearby grain elevator. The accident occurred around 7 p.m. on the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad at State Route 13 in Elkton, close to the Minnesota border.
Details of the Accident
The SUV, a 2011 Kia Sorento, was completely engulfed in flames after the crash, with the two occupants trapped inside and unable to escape. Emergency responders and the South Dakota Highway Patrol reported no injuries to the train crew, but the impact caused at least a dozen railcars to derail. The Highway Patrol is conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
Impact and Investigation
The collision not only resulted in the loss of life but also caused significant damage to both the train and the surrounding infrastructure. The derailed railcars struck a grain elevator, compounding the disaster. Authorities are still working to understand how the SUV managed to breach the crossing gate and what led to the catastrophic outcome.