Rescue crews search Yadkin River for car struck by train
Published 11:59 pm Friday, January 14, 2022
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - A boat from the Millers Ferry Fire Department passes beneath a stalled Norfolk Southern train Friday after a report of the train striking a car that fell into the water.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - A boat from the Rowan County Rescue Squad uses sonar Friday to try and find traces of a car that reportedly fell into the Yadkin River after being struck by a train.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - A large array of first responders were called to the U.S. 29 bridge over the Yadkin River Friday after a report of a train striking a car that fell into the river.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - Firefighters and onlookers gathered at the railing of U.S. 29 on Friday to watch as rescue crews searched for signs of a car in the Yadkin River.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - Boats from Millers Ferry and the Salisbury fire departments were among at least four used Friday night to try and locate signs of a car that reportedly fell into the Yadkin River.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - A Salisbury Fire Department boat uses flashlights and a long pole to prod for signs of a car in the Yadkin River after a train reportedly struck a vehicle on the tracks Friday night.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - A Salisbury Fire Department boat uses flashlights and a long pole to prod for signs of a car in the Yadkin River after a train reportedly struck a vehicle on the tracks Friday night.
Josh Bergeron / Salisbury Post - Emergency vehicles line U.S. 29 at the Rowan-Davidson county line Friday night after a report of a train, pictured on the right, striking a car.
SPENCER — Firefighters and rescue crews searched under the U.S. 29 bridge at the Rowan-Davidson county line Friday night for signs of a car struck by a Norfolk Southern train.
First responders were called to the scene around 9 p.m. because Norfolk Southern crews reported striking a car on the railroad bridge. After the collision, the car reportedly fell into the Yadkin River.
On the tracks, Norfolk Southern workers found a burgundy-colored piece of metal. Around 11:30 p.m., divers were preparing to enter the river after the search revealed a potential vehicle, but Rowan County Emergency Services Chief Allen Cress said divers didn’t find anything. It’s not clear if any people were inside the vehicle when it was struck.
Firefighters from Millers Ferry and the Salisbury fire departments, the Rowan County Rescue Squad as well as the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office used boats to search for the vehicle. They used flashlights, long poles to prod for signs of a vehicle and sonar.
Cress said the train collision occurred in Davidson County’s jurisdiction. That means Davidson County crews will handle any additional searches for the vehicle, he said. The Lexington Dispatch reported the search will not resume until at least Tuesday.
