Five killed in van-truck collision in US state of Mississippi

Five people were killed and a sixth injured on March 27 when a van collided with a freight train on the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway east of U.S. 49 in Wiggins, Stone County, Mississippi, authorities said.

Stone County Coroner Wayne Flurry confirmed the fatalities. The injured van passenger was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital. No injuries were reported among train personnel, Caliber.Az reports via US media. 

Landon Orozco, a spokesman for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, said there is no railroad crossing gate on the tracks at Pump Branch Road, where the collision occurred.

“CPKC is working with local officials as they investigate today’s tragic incident involving a CPKC freight train and a van that occurred in Stone County,” said CPKC spokesman Terry Cunha. “Our most sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims of this tragedy.”

U.S. 49, which was temporarily closed following the crash, reopened just before 4 p.m. local time, approximately three hours after the incident.

By Sabina Mammadli