Jan 20, 2026
Crews at the scene of Tuesday afternoon’s crash involving a train and a motor vehicle.
Within the afternoon hours, it became dangerous to be a motorist in northern Chautauqua County.
Around 1:30 p.m., the Dunkirk Police Department, Dunkirk Fire Department, and Alstar Ambulance responded to a report of a pickup struck by a train at the Middle Road and the CSX railroad crossing. The operator of the vehicle was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital, where the victim later succumbed to the injuries.
The incident remains under investigation by the Dunkirk Police Department in coordination with CSX Railroad officials. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted as well.
The incident occurred during heavy winds with whiteout conditions as travel advisories were in place in Dunkirk and in the surrounding communities.
At the scene, the railroad gates at the crossing were seen not going all the way down after the incident occurred. There appeared to be slight debris in the crossing, but no vehicle was visible on the tracks from the crossing.
The New York State Thruway also was a mess from the Silver Creek to Westfield exits with three reported accidents due to whiteout and hazardous conditions. At least two individuals were taken to Brooks-TLC Hospital with injuries.
These accidents have forced the closure of the westbound lanes. The accidents include:
— One eastbound before the Dunkirk exit.
— Westbound at milepost 468.9 between exit 59 and exit 60. This is just past the Dunkirk-Fredonia exit. Scanner reports indicated a multi-car and semi tractor-trailer involved. Whiteout conditions reported.
— Another was halfway between the Dunkirk and Silver Creek exit westbound.
New York State Police issued this release around 2:21 p.m.: “New York State Police are responding to multiple vehicle crashes on the Thruway in the city of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County. All lanes are blocked westbound between Exit 59 and Exit 60, with additional lane closures in the area due to several nearby accidents involving multiple jackknifed tractor trailers and passenger vehicles. State Police, fire and EMS are on scene. Traffic diversions are established at Exits 57, 58 and 59. Please avoid the area. Updates will be provided as details become available.”
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