Three Killed After Freight Train Strikes Vehicle in Washington

LONGVIEW, Wash. -- A Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad spokesman says a freight train has struck a shuttle van carrying BNSF crew members in Washington state, killing three people and seriously injuring a fourth.

Spokesman Gus Melonas says the collision happened late Wednesday afternoon at a private rail crossing in the Longview, Wash., area, as the van was leaving a BNSF railyard to take the crew members to Vancouver.

Killed were the van driver and two crew members. Melonas says a fourth person was hospitalized.

The loaded grain train was bound from Crookston, Minn., to Seattle. It did not derail.

Railway officials and local authorities are investigating. Melonas said he did not immediately have identification on the victims.