A truck carrying gas hits a railway bridge and explodes as the train passes over it

GLENVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities believe a tractor-trailer loaded with gas containers slammed under an overhead railroad bridge in upstate New York and traveled on the tracks above a freight train Thursday night. Time exploded.

The truck driver was seriously injured in the accident and power was briefly knocked out to local homes and businesses. At about 6:30 p.m., the truck collided with the bridge in Glenville, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Albany. Police said the driver failed to pay attention to signs clearly warning that the height difference was 10 feet (3 metres).

Videos and news photos from the scene showed flames rising into the sky as the damaged truck became stuck under the bridge and nearly overturned. Authorities believe it was carrying containers of compressed natural gas. Officials said there was no major damage to the train and the train did not stop.

“The first thought was, ‘God forbid someone dies here.’ We had to get to the bridges,” Glenville city supervisor Christopher Koetzle told reporters at the scene.

He added, “There should definitely be more discussion on this.”

Police said several homes near the crash site were evacuated as a precaution and most homes and businesses in the eastern part of the city were without power for about two hours.

Employees were also trying to remove the truck from under the bridge on Friday. After that, engineers were expected to inspect it to determine the damage, officials said.

The driver was identified as a 60-year-old man from Texas. He was taken to Westchester Medical Center for treatment of third-degree burns, officials said.

Police also said that a local fire chief, who was responding to a truck accident, was hit by a crash en route. Thomas Corner Chief Dan Vlenich had activated his lights and siren when a vehicle he was trying to pass began making a left turn. Police said three people were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

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