Features Editor

Feb. 7, 2000 10 PM

A car, driven by an employee of the city of Brundidge, collided with a CSX freight train on North Main Street in Brundidge Sunday night.

According to Brundidge Police Chief Moses Davenport, the driver of the Chevrolet vehicle, Tony Davenport, apparently did not see the train which had stopped at the crossing on North Main Street and was backing into the Picnic food processing plant for unloading.

"The engineer said he had stopped the train waiting for the back gate to be opened," Davenport said. "Tony Davenport’s vehicle was traveling at about 20 to 25 miles an hour and just hit the train."

Tony Davenport was transported by ambulance to Edge Regional Medical Center and was still hospitalized as of Monday morning, the Brundidge police chief said.

"His injuries were not life threatening," the chief said. "From what I understand, his right hip joint was fractured and will heal itself if he takes it easy."

Brundidge Police Officer John Rotten responded to the call and the Brundidge Volunteer Fire Department was called to the site because a leak from the vehicle’s ruptured fuel tank spilled onto the highway.

"The firefighters spread a compound on the road to dry up the spill which was very small," he said, "There was no damage to the train or to the track."

North Main Street was blocked for almost two hours until the car was removed and the train was able to back into the gateway.