Car Carrier Smashed In Kent Train Accident

VIDEO: Truck On Kent Tracks Struck By Train SLIDESHOW: Unbelievable Photos Of Train, Semi Collision

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train, originating in Sioux City, Iowa, was pulling 109 railcars and was approaching a crossing at in Kent at about 1:15 p.m. Friday.

As the gate was coming down, a semi-truck carrying cars attempted to drive through the crossing when the gate came down on the semi, said Gus Melonas of Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Eyewitnesses said the driver of the semi got out and looked at the gate on his truck while the freight train was still travelling at 45 miles per hour toward the crossing.

The train engineer applied the full brake in an attempt to stop, but struck the semi. In the meantime, the driver of the semi heard the train coming and ran from the scene, Melonas said.

At least two cars were thrown off the truck and one of them was dragged a quarter mile by the train.

Fire Department spokesman Kyle Ohashi said as much as 200 gallons of diesel spilled from the truck. It has been contained and is being cleaned up.

The collision blocked South 212 Street and South 228 Street at the Burlington Northern tracks, said Kent spokesman Kyle Ohashi.

The tracks were closed for an extended period of time.