A train hit a car at the G.K. Butterfield Train Station Tuesday afternoon, sending the vehicle into the station’s platform and injuring its driver.
Raethan Parker, 24, of Wilson was the sole occupant of the vehicle struck by the train, according to a news release from Wilson Police Department Capt. Jason Corprew.
The train, an Amtrak Auto Train headed north, wasn’t able to stop for hundreds of feet after striking the vehicle. The engine was hauling dozens of train cars. According to Amtrak’s website, the Auto Train is a daily travel train that transports passengers and their vehicles nonstop from the Washington, D.C., to the Orlando, Florida, area.
Kahmahl Melo Simmons, a barber who works just a few doors down from the train station, said he was getting his hair cut by a fellow barber when they heard the impact.
“The car got hit by the train and flew into the platform,” Simmons said. “By time we got over the train and to him (Parker), he was yelling for us to help him.”
Simmons, his barber and a driver on the opposite side of the tracks jumped into action to aid the driver of the vehicle.
“We busted the airbag,” Simmons said. “We were going to pull him out, but I said stop. EMS was coming. We didn’t want to move him too much, but we were adamant about helping out.”
Simmons said Parker was conscious and asked people on the scene to call his loved ones after calling 911.
Emergency services responded to the collision at approximately 12:28 p.m.
Corprew said an investigation is currently ongoing between the Wilson Police Department, Amtrak personnel and CSX. Officers were assisted on scene by Wilson Fire/Rescue Services and Wilson County EMS, who transported Parker.
The Wilson Police Department is encouraging anyone with information regarding this case to contact the Wilson Police Department at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255.
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