BNSF Railway Employee Dies in Train-Truck Collision Near New Rockford

A tragic train-truck collision near New Rockford, North Dakota, has claimed the life of 58-year-old Darrin Polansky, a BNSF Railway employee from Brainerd, Minnesota. Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies confirmed Polansky’s identity and provided details on the fatal incident, which occurred late Monday morning.

According to initial reports, Polansky was operating a track-service truck near the railway tracks when he inadvertently backed the vehicle onto the tracks, directly into the path of an oncoming train. Despite efforts by emergency responders, Polansky was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident also involved a passenger, 53-year-old Chad Chandler from Baldwin, Wisconsin. Chandler survived the collision and was transported to a hospital in Carrington for medical treatment. His condition has not been disclosed, but he is expected to recover.

Sheriff Lies and other local authorities have launched an investigation into the accident to understand the events that led to this devastating outcome. They are examining factors such as track visibility, vehicle positioning, and any potential equipment or procedural issues. The goal is to determine how the accident occurred and to assess if any safety measures need to be reinforced to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This incident has sent shockwaves through the railway community, where safety protocols are typically stringent. BNSF Railway has expressed condolences to Polansky’s family, friends, and coworkers, acknowledging the loss of a valued team member and vowing to cooperate fully with the investigation.

For those close to Polansky, this accident has brought profound grief. His passing serves as a reminder of the inherent risks faced by railway workers, who routinely work in close proximity to heavy equipment and active tracks. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues, and authorities hope to provide answers to Polansky’s family and colleagues in the coming weeks.