Posted: May 25, 2013 5:23 PM by Associated Press
Updated: May 25, 2013 6:27 PM
CHAFFEE - The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a cargo train collision in southeast Missouri.
Authorities say a highway overpass collapsed early today when rail cars slammed into one of the bridge's pillars after the collision. Seven people were injured, though none seriously.
The bridge collapsed after a Union Pacific train hit the side of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train at a rail intersection. Derailed rail cars then hit columns supporting the Highway M overpass, causing it to buckle and partially collapse.
The collision happened about 2:30 a.m. near Chaffee, a town of about 3,000 southwest of Cape Girardeau.
Only two vehicles were on the overpass at the time.
The crash derailed dozens of rail cars hauling scrap metal, automobiles and auto parts, tossing them into the overpass' support columns. The highway was shut down for about 8 miles from Scott City to Chaffee.
Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter says the overpass was about 15 years old and in good condition but just couldn't withstand the impact from the rail cars.