Train hits tractor northwest of Du Quoin

The outcome was more forgiving than the unspeakable tragedy it could have been.

Illinois State Police at Du Quoin and the Perry County Sheriff's Department say a Perry County Highway Department employee received non-life threatening injuries when his mowing tractor was struck by a Union Pacific freight train at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The engineer of the eastbound freight train told authorities he blew his horn as he was approaching the intersection of Valier Carpet Road and the rail line that runs eastward toward the Canadian National Railroad mainline in Tamaroa. The site is one-half mile south of Parrot Road.

But, mowing tractor operator Wayne Tedder, 44, of Pinckneyville who was southbound on the road said he couldn't hear it.

Tedder had been mowing in the area and was on Valier Carpet Road crossing when the John Deere mowing tractor and bat wing mower were struck by the engine of the train.

A cross-buck sign marks the crossing.

The impact threw the tractor off the crossing onto the roadway and destroyed it.

Perry County Sheriff Steve Bareis said Tedder was injured, but the injuries apparently were not serious.

He was transported to a local hospital by the Pinckneyville Ambulance Service as was the engineer of the train, who was the only person onboard. Both were released. Tedder was cited for disobeying a signal indicating an approaching train.

The railroad and law enforcement agencies were at the scene until about 4 p.m.