A 90-year-old Zephyr resident is counting his blessings after striking a train on a railroad crossing near Zephyr Monday evening.
The accident occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m. on County Road 271. The driver, identified as Frank Conger, was on his way to Brownwood when his vehicle collided with the train at the railroad crossing, according to friends who were on scene. Conger did not appear to be injured other than his wrists which were struck by the air bag during the impact, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Travis Hounshell. He was reported to have been out of the vehicle and walking around when emergency responders arrived.Family members transported Mr. Conger by private vehicle to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center to be evaluated as a precaution.
Trooper Hounshell investigated the accident and stated that Mr. Conger said that he had looked to the right but failed to check to the left and struck the second engine of the train which had just entered the crossing. Conger’s pickup truck (pictured above) spun into the railroad crossing lights, which have no arm across the roadway, after it struck the moving train. Debris from the front end of the truck was scattered for approximately 50 feet along the side of the tracks.
“He hit the second engine of the train,” said Trooper Hounshell. “Had he been 100 feet sooner, it would have been disastrous. He was very lucky.”
Zephyr Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brownwood Fire Department, Brownwood Fire Marshal, and Allegiance Ambulance responded to the scene of the accident.
Pictured above and below are photos of the scene and the damaged pickup.
