ABINGTON, Mass — One person was killed after their car collided with a commuter rail train at an Abington railroad crossing Wednesday evening.
An initial investigation suggests that the driver attempted to drive around another car stopped at the crossing as the warning system was deployed, according to MBTA Transit Police. The train then struck the car, killing the driver.
The male driver, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to MBTA Transit Police.
“We felt a big bump and we just kind of looked out the window and saw a car flying past us on the second story of the train,” Darrius Fiske told Boston 25 News.
None of the 12 passengers aboard the train sustained injuries and there were no other passengers in the vehicle.
The crossing warning system was functional and operational at the time of the crash, officials say.
The white vehicle could be seen stopped on a segment of the tracks. Police roped off the area around Birch Street with yellow crime scene tape.
The MBTA Commuter Rail alerted riders that Kingston Line trains would be heavily delayed as police investigated the crash.
A high school senior was struck and killed by a commuter rail train in the same area last May. 18-year-old high school student Kateylyn McCarthy was struck by a train while walking along the right of way in May of last year. Wednesday’s latest tragedy brought back raw emotions for Katelynn’s mother, Lori Frost.
“Another family is going to be devastated. I can’t even tell you what it is like to lose a child it is just debilitating,” said Frost. “When are they going to wake up when there is 3 children that were killed on this line?”
Police are investigating the crash.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW