A Montana Rail Link train loaded with coal collided with a semi-truck and trailer on Dec. 27 at Frenchtown. The unidentified driver was trying to get his truck unstuck from the tracks when the train approached at about 45 mph. He was able to escape the vehicle without injury. The area was snowpacked at the time.

The train pushed the semi into a Montana Rail Link maintenance building about 25 yards down the tracks near Frenchies Convenience Store located at 16875 Beckwith St. The building sustained some damage.

At the time of the accident the train was blocking both crossings at Ducharme and Mullen Road. Those routes were closed and traffic was re-routed to the railroad crossing located on Beckwith.

The accident occurred at around 6 p.m. and the Frenchtown Rural Fire Department was called on scene.

“There was a semi-truck actually hanging partway over the rail and ended up getting hit by the train,” said fire department spokesman Mel Holtz.

Northwestern Power was also called to make sure the transmission lines were safe. The area was cleaned up and the roads reopened by 9 p.m. No traffic was backed up on the tracks as a result of the accident.