Two Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Union Pacific Train Slams Into FedEx Truck in Hill County
A violent collision between a Union Pacific freight train and a FedEx delivery truck sent two people to the hospital in critical condition Thursday afternoon near the small town of Itasca in Hill County.
,Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that both the driver and a passenger inside the FedEx truck sustained injuries in the crash., ,At least one of the victims was airlifted from the scene to a hospital for emergency treatment.,
The crash occurred around 2 p.m. near State Highway 81 and County Road 4148 just north of Itasca. Authorities say the FedEx truck was crossing the railroad tracks when it was struck by the oncoming Union Pacific train. ,Aerial footage captured the aftermath showing the FedEx truck had been pushed down the tracks following the impact.,
The force of the collision caused significant disruption to the surrounding roadways. ,Hill County Emergency Management announced that State Highway 81 south of FM 67 and FM 67 west of SH 81 were both closed in all directions, as emergency crews worked the scene.
According to Union Pacific officials the train crew members were not injured in the incident. The railroad company has not yet released additional details regarding the speed or direction of the train at the time of the crash.
The emergency response itself led to a secondary medical situation on scene. The Hill County Sheriff’s Office reported that a first responder suffered a heat-related medical emergency during the response and required medical attention. ,Video from aerial news coverage showed medical personnel attending to someone in the back of a state trooper vehicle at the scene.,
Texas DPS troopers are leading the investigation into the cause of the collision. ,The cause of the crash had not been officially released as of Thursday afternoon.,
Itasca is a small community located in Hill County roughly 50 miles south of Fort Worth. Grade crossing collisions remain a serious safety concern across Texas with state and federal agencies continuing to push for improved infrastructure and awareness at railroad crossings statewide.