WATCH: Raw video of aftermath of deadly bus and train collision in North Dakota
FARGO, N.D. – Two people were killed and 12 were injured after a school bus failed to yield to railroad-crossing and stop signs and collided with an empty freight train in North Dakota, according to the state Highway Patrol.
The accident happened Monday afternoon on a gravel road near Larimore, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) north of Fargo in the northeastern part of the state. The bus was from the Larimore Public School District.
Highway Patrol Lt. Troy Hischer said the bus was heading north on a county road when it was struck by a westbound BNSF freight train. He said the train struck the bus on the passenger side, near the doors. The 62-year-old bus driver and a 17-year-old student were ejected from the vehicle and killed.
The ages of the students on the bus ranged from 5 to 17, Hischer said. Some of the injured suffered broken bones; three were in “very serious condition,” he said.
Hischer described the scene as chaotic.
“It’s high stress on many people from the school and on all of the first responders,” Hischer said in a telephone interview.
Hischer said it was a typical rural railroad crossing, with no crossing arms.
“The train has the right of way,” he said.
Hischer said the weather was clear at the time.
Officials with Altru Health System in Grand Forks said they had received 10 patients, six of whom were admitted and three of whom were transferred. One patient was released.
BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth said the train involved was not carrying any cargo at the time. She said there were two BNSF crew members on the train and neither was injured.
McBeth said BNSF has sent investigators to the scene.
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