Multiple injured after train strikes semi in Cass County

by: Brian Dulle, Dave D'Marko

Posted: Aug 1, 2023 / 05:02 PM CDT

Updated: Aug 2, 2023 / 03:03 PM CDT

BELTON, Mo. — Multiple people have injuries after a train crashed into a semi truck Tuesday afternoon in Cass County, Missouri.

Cass County deputies arrived at the scene just before 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of E. 187th Street and Holmes Road, southwest of Belton, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is taking over the investigation, and a spokesperson said three people — an adult and two children who were in the semi — were taken to an area hospital. At this time it’s believed two have minor injuries and one of the children has serious injuries. All three are from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

MSHP said the driver of the semi was eastbound on 187th when the trailer got stuck on the tracks. The driver got out of the semi when the trailer got stuck, MSHP said.

The train and tractor trailer have been removed from the scene, according to the highway patrol.

MSHP said there was a total of six people in the semi and two people on the train. No one on the train was hurt.

“We don’t know all the details of why there were that many people in the tractor trailer at this time, but that will be part of the investigation,” MSHP Cpl. Justin Ewing said.

Karen Templeton was coming home on 187th Street when she spotted the semi blocking the railroad tracks.

“I knew something was about to happen. I told the guy you’ve got to do something quick, either get the truck moved and call that emergency number and see if they can stop the train,” Templeton said.

She estimates it was less than a minute later when she heard the railroad bells and crossing arm start to come down and a Canadian Pacific Kansas City train heading southbound toward the semi.

“I thought he was the only one in there and he was in the road after it happened. The next thing I know see that he had family on the other side of the tracks and I saw a guy with blood on his shirt and I was like oh there was other people in that truck,” she said.

This incident comes as Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Transportation are set to announce a new Missouri Railroad Safety Crossing plan this week.

On Thursday, the governor plans to sign House Bill 4, which includes $50 million in state funding to improve over 45 passive railroad crossings.

The work comes just over one year after four people were killed and over 150 people were injured when an Amtrak train hit a dump truck at an uncontrolled railroad crossing in Mendon, Missouri.

Details about which rail crossings specifically will see improvements have not been released yet.

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