DUDLEY, Mo. - Three Essex residents sustained serious injuries Saturday morning when the vehicle in which they were traveling failed to stop at a crossing southwest of Dudley marked by crossbucks County Road 691. The truck was struck by an oncoming eastbound train.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 10:40 a.m. Saturday at the rural crossing located about 300 feet south of old Highway 60.
Driving the truck was Gary Sanders, 47. Sanders was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.
Also sustaining serious injuries were two passengers, Earl E. Christian, 21, who was airlifted to St. Francis Medical Center, and Kayla L. Christian, 27, who also transported to St. Francis for treatment.
According to the patrol, none of the truck's occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
Responding to the scene were the Highway Patrol, Stoddard County EMS, Stoddard County Sheriff's Department and members of the Dudley Fire Department.