Amtrak Downeaster Hits Car at Brighton Avenue Railroad Crossing

The Amtrak Downeaster collided with a car on the tracks at the Brighton Avenue railroad crossing this morning while on its way to Portland from Brunswick.

According to WCSH's Kelsey Fabian, there were no life threatening injuries for the passengers in the vehicle or on the train. Traffic backed up for the morning commute while the train blocked the crossing until the accident could be cleared.

The gates were down and lights were flashing. Police are still investigating at this time to find out if this was a case of the driver going around the gates or stopping on the tracks at the red light for Brighton and St. John streets and being unable to move out of the way as the train approached. There is a sign posted warning drivers not to stop on the tracks.

UPDATE: According to the Portland Press Herald, the driver was taken to Maine Medical Center with unknown injuries. Two children in the car were uninjured. The driver passed a line of cars and drove around the gates and was struck by the train while doing so. There didn't appear to be any medical or mechanical cause.