One man is dead after the vehicle he was driving collided with a train early Saturday morning near Willmar.
According to information provided by the RCMP, the collision occurred on the 604 grid, just south of Willmar.
Although the investigation is ongoing, the police believe a pick-up truck was travelling south when it collided with a crude oil tanker that was being positioned to off-load crude oil. CN staff were on scene during the collision and were able to stop the slow moving train immediately. The tanker was empty and there was no environmental spill to deal with. The train was not derailed.
The driver of the pick-up truck, who was 48-years-old, was killed.
The release noted the intersection was marked with a railroad crossing yield sign, railroad crossing signs and street lamps. There was heavy fog in the area at the time and it's believed that may have been a contributing factor in the collision.
An RCMP traffic re-constructionist was called in to investigate the collision and Estevan members remained on scene until the vehicle was removed and the intersection reopened.
