(Dickens)– Two people were injured this morning in a car/train accident near Dickens.
The Clay County Sheriff’s office says 79-year-old Myrl Alan Olson of rural Terril was southbound on county road N-14 when he collided with the rear portion of an I & M Rail Link train at a crossing just north of Highway 18.
Olson and his wife, Esther, were taken by ambulance to Spencer Municipal Hospital. Myrl was transferred by Lifeflight helicopter to Avera/McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. His condition wasn’t available. Esther Olson is listed in stable condition at Spencer Municipal Hospital.
No one on board the train was hurt.
A 1998 Lincoln Towne car driven by Olson was totaled. Little or no damage was reported to the train.
Authorities say seatbelt usage and deployment of the car’s airbags more than likely saved the couple’s lives.
Authorities say dense fog was a likely factor in the crash that happened around 5:15 this morning. No citations were issued.
