Danville man dies following pickup/train wreck
Published 4:04 pm Friday, June 14, 2013
- O.B. Owens of Falkville was driving this truck when it was hit by a northbound CSX freight train in Falkville Friday morning. He died later at Huntsville Hospital. | Clif Knight
A Danville man died at Huntsville Hospital after sustaining injuries when the late model pickup truck he was driving was struck by a CSX freight train at the Second Street crossing in Falkville Friday morning.
The victim, who was ejected from his truck, was identified as O. B. Owens, 74, former Danville football coach and Falkville High School principal.
He was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital by a med-evac helicopter.
The accident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. as Owens was driving east and the train was headed north. The train’s impact caved in the passenger side of the pickup and knocked it about 50 feet from the crossing.
Owens was apparently not wearing a seat belt, according to Falkville Police Chief Chris Free.
The crossing has warning signals but no gates.
Falkville police and CSX officials are investigating the accident.
