UPDATE from PCSO:
“We are investigating a vehicle crash at the RR tracks near the Kathleen Tire Shop on Kathleen Road in north #Lakeland involving an empty cargo train and a pickup truck.
There is one confirmed fatality, which is the driver of the pickup truck. The cargo train was not hauling any cargo. We do not believe there were any other occupants of the pickup truck.
The crash occurred around 3:25 p.m. this afternoon on the tracks that run parallel to Kathleen Road, between Deeson and Spivey Roads. Drivers are urged to avoid the area until further notice.”
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Initial report:
On the afternoon of August 27, 2024, several units were dispatched to 5310 Kathleen Road in Lakeland just before 3:30 p.m. regarding a call for a railroad/train emergency incident.
It was reported that a train hit a black pickup truck.
Preliminary details from Polk County Sheriff’s Office:
“We are investigating a vehicle crash at the RR tracks near the Kathleen Tire Shop on Kathleen Road in north Lakeland involving an empty cargo train and a pickup truck. There are significant injuries to the occupants of the truck. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes until further notice.”
We will update this article as more information is released.