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Samantha Hayes reportingWITNESS: "YOU KNOW JUST A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT EVERYONE IS OKAY."
An SUV collided with a TRAX train in South Salt Lake sending the driver to the hospital.
The accident happened at the height of rush hour and shut down southbound TRAX service for just over an hour.
All we know about the victim, 31 year old James Clafton from Salt Lake City, is that he is in the hospital in serious condition.
Police don't why he ignored all the signs at the crossing gate. The lights blaring, bells ringing, and crossing arms down didn't get the attention of the man driving a black SUV traveling east on 27th South Witnesses say the SUV skidded up underneath the arm and hit a Southbound TRAX train.
"TOM RICHARDS/WITNESS: WHEN I FIRST APPROACHED THE VEHICLE HE WAS INSIDE, CONSCIOUS AND IN GREAT PAIN AND OBVIOUSLY WANTED TO GET OUT. WE COULDN'T GET HIM OUT SO WE JUST TRIED TO CALM HIM DOWN UNTIL EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND PEOPLE GOT HERE."
Police say the man was pinned inside the car for about an hour before firefighters were able to pull him out. He was then flown to LDS hospital by helicopter.
"CHRIS MCBRIDE/TRAX SPOKESPERSON: GENERALLY WHEN THERE IS A TRAIN VERSES VEHICLE LIKE THIS PEOPLE ON THE TRAIN FAIR WELL, BUT FOR THE PERSON IN A VEHICLE IT IS SERIOUS."
The same case here, a mangled Toyota Four Runner and a TRAX train with a couple dents and scratches...
Although the train was full, no one was hurt and passengers say there was no time to stop.
"ALEX MORRIS/WITNESS: I WAS ON THE FIRST CAR OF THE TRAIN AND SECONDS BEFORE WE ARRIVED AT 27TH SOUTH, THE DRIVER CALLED OUT AND WE SLAMMED INTO THE SUV "
The first major incident of the year, according to TRAX officials,.and another chance to remind drivers to be careful.
"CHRIS MCBRIDE/TRAX SPOKESPERSON: AND WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ALWAYS REMEMBER ANYTIME IS TRAIN TIME ESPECIALLY WHEN THOSE ARMS ARE DOWN."
Police are waiting on toxicology reports to see if drugs or alcohol were involved. Nothing indicated that here at the scene.
