Video: Train crashes into water truck in Carbon County

The horn of the freight train blared as it sped down the tracks toward the men in the water truck.

Seconds later, the truck exploded as the Union Pacific train ripped through it at 100 E. Railroad Avenue in Wellington Friday morning.

A man had taken a break from work in the Carbon County city to record the train with his phone — his son is a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine — when he saw it all. He was stunned.

After gathering himself, he said in an online posting of the video, he turned off the camera and ran as fast as he could to help the men in the truck. He expected to find only bodies, but instead saw that both men were fine.

"They are lucky," said Wellington Police Chief Lee Berry. "One second later and they would have been wrapped around the train."

There are no crossing arms at the intersection, but there are signs, flashing lights and a bell, Berry said. He did not want to speculate on why the Price River Water Improvement District truck crossed in front of the train, but Berry said that in his own experience, people become complacent around stop signs and train tracks.

The train conductors were fine as well. The train engine received some minor damage from the crash, and at least one crossing sign was destroyed.

Berry did not know what the cost of repairing the damage would be for the railroad company.

Police are still investigating the crash.

mmcfall@sltrib.com