Trucker Killed and 63 Passengers Injured in WV Logging Truck Crash With Train

October 15th, 2013 |

CHEAT BRIDGE, WV. – A truck driver was killed and 63 rail passengers and crew were injured on October 11, when a logging truck crashed into a sightseeing train in Cheat Bridge, WV. Cheat Bridge is an unincorporated community located in the Monongahela National Forest in southeastern Randolph County in the east-central part of the state.

A logging truck crashed with a sightseeing train in Cheat Bridge, WV killing the trucker, tipping over and derailing two rail cars and injuring several passengers on October 11, 2013. Photo credit: The Pocahontas Times.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, October 11, near Cheat Bridge where it crosses Shavers Fork of the Cheat River in Randolph County near the Pocahontas County line.

Map shows location of fatal logging truck with train at the U.S. Highway 250 crossing in Cheat Bridge, WV on October 11, 2013.

A logging truck was traveling north on U.S. Highway 250 while descending Cheat Mountain with a load of logs when it slammed into the train, derailing and knocking over two passenger cars. It is unclear why the truck ran the crossing because the signals were working and in good order.

The trucker, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was identified as Danny Kimble, from Durbin, WV. Kimble’s age has not been released.

The injured passengers were transported to Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins, WV about 32 miles to the north of the accident site. Of the 63 rail passengers who were injured, 3 were criticaly injured and 5 were seriously injured.

The Cheat Mountain Salamander sightseeing train is operated by the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. Passengers were being taken by the train to view the scenery of the changing colors of the leaves on the trees.

Blog post by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and West Virginia railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.