08 February 2023 , 14:19
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A man has been killed after the truck he was driving crashed into a train and was shredded to pieces in a horrific accident.
Patrick Metz, 34, died instantly after failing to stop the FedEx truck he was driving at a stop sign and an Amtrak passenger train crashed on it from the driver's side, authorities said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred at 10.25am local time (4.25pm UK) on Tuesday, on Hereford Road in rural Pleasant Hill, Missouri, US.
Emergency agencies rushed to the scene to find the truck torn apart.
Footage from the location shows its wreckage on the rails and the train stopped on the tracks.
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No injuries were reported from any passengers or staff on the train.
Only wreckage was left from the FedEx truck after the crash (KTVU)An alert from the train operator, Amtrak, confirmed that the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner Train 318 had stopped east of Lee’s Summit due to an "incident" Tuesday Morning.
That train left Union Station in Kansas City on its way to St. Louis and Chicago on Tuesday morning.
It was reported that 29 passengers were on board the train at the time, and they were subsequently taken off the train and loaded on buses towards Chicago.
They said they "did not feel much, but felt the train come to a sudden stop" and that the Amtrak crew "did an amazing job keeping everyone calm," KMBC reported.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Pleasant Hill (KTVU)"These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers," Amtrak said in a statement to Fox News.
"They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings."
An investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the crash is ongoing, however, Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a report that Metz didn't stop at a stop sign and attempted to cross the tracks.
Damage to the train was relatively minimal and it should still be able to function properly, authorities said.
An investigation regarding the incident is ongoing (KTVU)"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those involved in this accident," FedEx said in a statement.
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"Safety is our highest priority, and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time."
At least one other accident has been reported at this crossing in 1999, a non-fatal crash between a train and a truck stopped at the crossing.