Coventry Man Involved In Near-Miss with Train in Woonsocket

A Coventry man took a wrong turn onto the Providence and Worcester Railroad tracks last night, getting his vehicle stuck and resulting in a frantic leap for his life. A collision with a train moments later pushed his 1998 Volvo more than 50 feet.

Christopher Hanlon of 6 Congdon St. and his passenger, 13-year-old Stephanie Trudeau told police they were following directions on their GPS while driving down River Street around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday evening. At the intersection with Fairmount Street, they misinterpreted instructions to take a right hand turn onto Verry Street, landing on the tracks.

Moments after the pair realized they were stuck, the arms on River Street began to lower, warning of the approaching train. Hanlon and Trudeau first tried to push the vehicle, then jumped out of the way as the train arrived.  Neither was injured in the incident, though Hanlon's car was destroyed in the resulting crash.

Police who arrived at the scene found the train blocking River Street and the car pushed more than 50 feet. Conductors on the cargo unit said they were traveling at just 25 miles per hour and blew their horn before the crash, but were unable to stop. 

Hanlon's vehicle was towed from the scene. The train did not sustain any noticeable damage and the conductors reported no injuries.