Four people were killed after a car was hit by an Amtrack train in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Three adults and a 12-year-old child were in the car when it collided with the train. All of the car’s passengers were killed on impact, but none of the 20 passengers and five crew members aboard the Amtrack train were hurt.
The southbound train was on its way to Savannah, Georgia from Charleston. The train versus car wreck occurred when the driver of the car tried to steer around a crossing arm to beat the train. The train pushed the car about a mile down the tracks before it was able to stop.
This train accident is one that could easily have been avoided if the driver of the car had simply obeyed common traffic laws. Because the driver was driving aggressively and recklessly, four lives were unnecessarily lost. It is important to consider the consequences of your actions when you are behind the wheel and to follow all traffic laws in order to ensure the safety of other drivers and passengers.
Source: Associated Press- “4 dead in car-train crash near SC-GA state line”- November 17, 2009.