Friday, November 9, 2001
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Friday, November 9, 2001 |
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Two killed in train collision Tuesday night By JOHN
MUNFORD
A collision between a minivan and a train in Tyrone Tuesday night has claimed the lives of a 6-year-old Tyrone boy and a 22-year-old Morrow man. The boy's name is being withheld by Tyrone police while relatives are notified, Tyrone Police Chief Roger Spencer said Thursday morning. The driver of the vehicle, who passed away at Atlanta Medical Center, was Timothy Graham, 28, of Morrow, Spencer said. Witnesses told police that the van was crossing the railroad tracks at Valleywood Road, off Ga. Highway 74 just south of Fairburn, when the collision occurred, Spencer said. The van never stopped at the crossing, Spencer said. This particular crossing does not have safety arms; it is marked by the typical railroad "crossbucks" sign. Graham was dating the mother of the boy, and apparently they were returning home with dinner when the collision occurred around 7 p.m., Spencer said. It was dark at the time, he confirmed, but train officials told police the black box on the train indicated that the whistle was blown to alert motorists of its presence. The train also was likely going the speed limit of 35 mph as it passed through town, Spencer added. The victims were extricated from the wreck by emergency medical workers, and both were flown to hospitals by medical helicopters which were called to the scene.
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