Train, truck collision in Florence parking lot

FLORENCE — Troopers from the Vermont State Police – Rutland Barracks responded to an unusual collision between a freight truck and a train in the OMYA parking lot on Whipple Hollow Road on Feb. 10 at 3:16 p.m.

Jeffrey Willis, 53, of Pittsburgh, MO, was operating a 2016 Coronado Freightliner westbound across a railway within the parking lot when his trailer was struck by a locomotive operated by David Fuller, 58, of Brandon.

Despite the potential for serious damage, both operators were unharmed, and no hospitalization was necessary.

The freightliner’s trailer incurred structural damage, but no hazardous materials were compromised.

The locomotive did not sustain any damage.

Willis was wearing his seat belt during the incident, while Fuller was not.

Authorities report that the weather was cloudy with a temperature of 50 degrees, and road conditions were wet at the time of the crash.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation by the Vermont State Police.