A Newport woman was injured in a collision with a Norfolk and Southern train engine Tuesday afternoon near Havelock.
The woman, identified as Nancy Topolski, 64, was taken to CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern following the wreck, according to investigating Trooper C.W. Lawrance, of the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Topolski was traveling west on Lake Road toward Havelock when she encountered the train engine, which was headed north, or left to right, also toward Havelock, Lawrance said. The train struck Topolski's Dodge van on the driver's side, pushing the vehicle down the tracks a short distance and off to the side into a shallow ditch.
Firefighters from Havelock Fire and Rescue and from Township 6 Volunteer Fire Department responded to the wreck and had to cut Topolski out of the van.
The wreck happened just before 12:50 p.m. Tuesday about three miles west of Havelock.
Lawrance said the train engine was traveling about 25 mph, while Topolski was driving at 45 mph at the time collision.
There is a lighted railroad signal at the railroad crossing that was operating properly at the time of the wreck, Lawrance said. The section of tracks is a spur that links the Havelock area and Cherry Point with Camp Lejeune.
Lawrance said the wreck is still under investigation.
Copyright 2012 - Havelock News, N.C.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
