One person is dead after a train hit a sidewalk plow this morning.
The incident happened shortly after 9:30 a.m. at the crossing at Colborne Street and York Street.
There aren’t many details available, but a 980 CFPL reporter at the scene says the front scoop of a sidewalk plow can be seen on the north side of the tracks.
Police say a CN freight train was travelling eastbound when it struck the sidewalk plow.
A statement from CN Rail obtained by 980 CFPL said a train travelling east was stopped in London following an incident at the Colborne Street crossing involving a sidewalk plow.
It goes on to say “Our initial investigation shows the lights and gates at the Colborne crossing were working properly and that the train horn was sounded. CN police and London police continue to investigate this tragic accident.”
The train came to a complete stop, affecting crossings from Adelaide Street to Ridout Street. It had begun moving again and had left the area before 1 o’clock Tuesday afternoon.
Police say the tracks just south of York Street have reopened, while Colborne Street remains closed between York Street and Bathurst Street.
London police, CN officials, CN police, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, and officials with the City of London remain on scene.
Shortly before 1:30 p.m., a written statement on behalf of Mayor Matt Brown and London City Manager Martin Hayward was released. The statement confirmed that an employee of a company contracted to do snow removal was involved but added that the “focus at this point is on cooperating with an respecting this process as it unfolds.”
“As a result,” the statement continued, “we will not be providing comments or responding to questions about this.”
The statement also expressed condolences to the victim’s loved ones.
The identity of the person who was killed is being withheld until next of kin are notified.
— More to come
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