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one dead after train collides with vehicle

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Monday, January 21, 2008 10:38 AM CST

WEST FRANKFORT - A train-car accident claimed the life of a West Frankfort man Sunday night.

Emergency personnel at the scene said the vehicle, driven by Harry Yates, was struck by a train at the Oak Street crossing and was pushed south down the railroad tracks before coming to rest at Cleveland Street.

The mangled wreckage of the white four-door car was a haunting reminder to residents who have followed the city's ongoing effort to have lights and gates installed at the Oak Street crossing.

The crossing has no lights or crossing gates, but the city recently put up a stop sign to alert motorists to take a second look before proceeding.

"They promised that for all of them," Mayor Marion Presley said Sunday night, about the several years of discussions between the city and the Illinois Commerce Commission regarding the railroad improvements.

"We got it funded and it's not going to cost us a dime, but I knew something like this was going to happen before they got it done. It's a shame it takes a tragedy to get anybody to move on anything."

Presley called Yates a well-known and well-liked member of the community and noted his more than 70-year membership in the West Frankfort Elks Club.

"Everybody loved Harry," he said.

Officials were not releasing the age of the victim or further information regarding the cause of the accident Sunday night.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com

351-5824