Three juveniles were severely injured Saturday afternoon after the car they were riding in collided with a train southwest of New Hope, Lowndes County authorities said.
Lowndes County deputies and volunteer firefighters were called to the tracks at the intersection of Hughes Road and Frisco Road, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said. The driver of the car had attempted to cross the tracks when the train hit the car, he said, knocking it into a ditch.
In addition to the driver, three juveniles were in the car, Hawkins said. Each of them were sent to a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, for treatment. The driver did not suffer serious injuries.
Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency Director Cindy Lawrence said the train was owned by Alabama Southern Railroad Company, while the tracks are managed by BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railway. Representatives from Alabama Southern did not return a call from The Dispatch by press time.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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