Deputy is 'banged up,' after collision with train, Painter says Train strikes MCSO vehicle

A Midland County Sheriff Deputy was injured 05/21/19 morning in a one vehicle accident with an eastbound train at the CR 1250 crossing. The deputy was responding to a call when he failed to yield to a passing train. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram less A Midland County Sheriff Deputy was injured 05/21/19 morning in a one vehicle accident with an eastbound train at the CR 1250 crossing. The deputy was responding to a call when he failed to yield to a passing ... more Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Deputy is 'banged up,' after collision with train, Painter says 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A deputy with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a train collision Tuesday while responding to an emergency call, Sheriff Gary Painter said.

He said the officer was responding to a distress call for a child who was having trouble breathing.

The railroad crossing signal was working and signaled a coming train, Painter said, but the officer made the decision to cross anyway. Painter said the officer did not see the train coming.

The deputy’s vehicle, an SUV, was crossing the railroad tracks just as one train passed through the intersection. When the vehicle was crossing a second set of tracks, it was hit on the driver’s side by the train, according to video of the incident provided to the Reporter-Telegram.

Painter said the officer was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital and is “banged up,” but was still “walking and talking.”

The child involved in the distress call received help and also was taken to the hospital, Painter said.

The Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident.