Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Aid was called this afternoon to a train versus vehicle collision near Tenino.
A family of four were in a pickup truck which was hit by an Amtrak passenger train just north of Tenino, according to responders.
Courtesy photo by WSP
Trooper Guy Gill says they are very lucky to be alive.
Three were injured. Two individuals were transported by medics with advanced life support capabilities and one person was transported with basic life support personnel, according to Thurston County Fire District 12.
It happened in the area of McDuff Road near 143rd Avenue Southeast, according to Fire Chief Robin Duncan. Gill described the location as McDuff Road and Fenton Avenue.
It was a 2004 Ford F-150.
The train struck the front area of the pickup, Gill said on Twitter. “Three feet the other way and we would be dealing with multiple fatalities right now.”
The trooper said the two adults and two children are going to be fine. The driver is Thomas G. Hertter, 52, of Olympia, according to Gill.
The train was traveling approximately 79 mph.
Duncan said he thought the call came around 2:45 p.m., but couldn’t be sure as the fire department had three calls at about the same time.
The town’s Oregon Trail Days celebration is going on this weekend.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter