A Massachusetts commuter train slammed into a truck at a railroad crossing in Canton, leaving one person injured and creating widespread transportation disruptions throughout the region.
At a Glance
- An MBTA commuter train collided with a truck at a Canton crossing at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday
- The train pushed the truck down the tracks until it was wedged against a fence
- One passenger sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized
- Keolis, the train operator, stated the truck driver stopped on the tracks and warning systems functioned properly
- Train services on the Stoughton Line were delayed until normal operations resumed before 10 p.m.
Collision Details and Immediate Response
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train collision occurred Wednesday afternoon on the Stoughton Line. According to reports, the train struck a tractor-trailer at a railroad crossing in Canton at approximately 1:40 p.m. The impact was severe enough that the train pushed the truck down the tracks until it became wedged against a fence. Canton police responded quickly to the scene, closing Pine Street and posting information about the incident on their Facebook page around 2 p.m., including photos of the damaged train and truck.
Keolis, the company operating the train, provided a definitive statement about the cause of the accident. “There is no issue with this crossing. The driver of the truck stopped on the tracks for unknown reasons. The crossing warning system was functioning as intended,” the company stated. The incident immediately disrupted train services, with at least two trains on the Stoughton Line stopped due to police activity, and one train completely canceled. Passengers between Canton Junction and South Station were advised to seek alternate transportation options.
Witness Account Contradicts Official Statement
Despite Keolis’s statement placing blame on the truck driver, an eyewitness account presents a different perspective on the circumstances leading to the collision. Adam McCulloch, who observed the incident, provided details suggesting the truck driver became trapped by circumstances beyond his control. The truck driver reportedly escaped the vehicle without injury just before impact, though one train passenger sustained minor injuries requiring hospitalization.
This eyewitness description suggests the truck driver may have been caught in a dangerous position when the crossing arms descended, contradicting Keolis’s assertion that the driver simply stopped on the tracks. The discrepancy between the official statement and witness testimony raises questions about safety protocols at railroad crossings, particularly for larger vehicles navigating narrow streets in communities like Canton.
Service Disruptions and Recovery
The collision created significant transportation challenges for commuters. The MBTA implemented alternative transportation measures, providing shuttle bus service to transport passengers between Canton Center station and Stoughton. Canton police reported an “unknown timeframe on the reopening” of Pine Street following the accident, further complicating local traffic patterns.
Normal train operations did not resume until before 10 p.m., approximately eight hours after the incident occurred. The extended disruption highlights the cascading effects such accidents can have on regional transportation systems. The incident has prompted renewed attention to the safety measures in place at railroad crossings, particularly in areas where large commercial vehicles regularly traverse tracks in residential or commercial districts with limited maneuvering space.