A Leitchfield man has been killed after a truck was hit by a train at the Quarry Road railroad crossing.
Wednesday afternoon at 4:57, Leitchfield Police Department Sgt. Robert Jackson and Officers Chase Melton, Missy Skaggs and Ty Whitaker, the Leitchfield Fire Department and EMS responded to the accident at the intersection of Beaver Dam Road (Hwy 62) and Quarry Road.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders found that a Ford F-150, being driven by Kevin Basham, of Millwood, was stopped just before the railroad tracks — on the Beaver Dam Road side of the crossing — talking to a pedestrian, 48-year-old Irvin Dales, of Leitchfield.
As an eastbound train approached, the electronic warning signals, including flashing lights and a whistle, activated, according to witnesses. The train’s engineer also blasted a horn.
Just as the train entered the intersection, Basham attempted to cross the tracks but the Ford was struck on the driver’s side rear. As the truck spun, it struck Dales (who was carrying a Bible, Leitchfield Fire Chief Tim Duvall said), tossing him onto the tracks.
The Ford was thrown off the tracks, down an embankment and into a field.
Prior to EMS arriving, Dales was treated at the scene by Grayson County Deputy Coroner/Advanced EMT James Embry, who drove upon the accident seconds after it happened. After receiving further treatment from EMS, Dales was transported by EMS to Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by Embry at 5:29.
Basham was unhurt.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
