05-05-04
Truck vs. Train Trestle
Statesville, NC

A truck from Gordon Iron Works was enroute to the plant just around the corner from the bridge and did not know his lift was in the upright position.  He hit the bridge with enough force to move the bridge approximately 5 feet.  The driver had injuries even though he had his seatbelt on.  The steering wheel twisted and the windshield was ejected from the impact.  The railroad shut down it's line while cranes were being called to help set the bridge back in place.

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Looking at scene from rear of truck.

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Impact point with the bridge ripping hole in bridge.

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Twisted wheel on the truck shows impact of the driver.

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Looking at the bow in the steel from underneath the bridge.

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Front end of truck thrown forward and windshield missing from truck.

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Skid marks showing how far bridge moved after impact.

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The bow in the track shows concern for railroad worker.

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Looking from west side of the bridge showing move.

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Support that the bridge used to set on before impact.

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Looking from the east side of the bridge.

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Looking down at the truck from on top of the bridge.

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Hole torn open in the plate steel on the bridge.

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Looking along the track show the upward bow of the track.

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Track torn away from the ties as plates still hang on to the track.

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Looking down from hill above the scene as workers wait for 100 ton crane.

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