This story has been updated.
A tractor trailer driver was injured when his vehicle struck two empty cars of a train in Masardis on Wednesday afternoon.
The crash happened at the intersection of Blackwater Road and Route 1 at about 1:30 p.m., according to Paul Merrill, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Transportation.
“A tractor trailer on Route 11 hit the train about 15 cars in,” Merrill said. “It struck two empty rail cars and knocked them off the track, so it derailed.”
Jared Tapley, 26, of Monticello had been southbound on Route 11 when his vehicle struck the train cars, according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss.
It’s the second derailment in a week for the area around Ashland. Last week a minor derailment occurred at the intersection of Route 11 and Sheridan Road. Wednesday’s crash is about 9 1/2 miles from that site.
DOT workers on site closed Route 11 and arranged a traffic detour. Traffic in the area could be affected for up to three days, according to state officials.
Route 11 was still closed as of 4:15 p.m. as personnel awaited the arrival of a crane to help lift the displaced cars back on the track, Merrill said.
The tractor trailer was carrying wood chips and was destroyed. The driver survived, but was injured and transported to Presque Isle’s Northern Light Hospital. His condition is unknown.
Tapley had a dog in the tractor-trailer at the time of the crash, Moss said. The animal was injured and transported to a local veterinarian to receive treatment.
Maine DOT owns the track, Merrill said. The train was operated by Maine Northern Railway.
BDN writer Leela Stockley contributed to this report.
