Douglas Mallory
A 2005 Ford Ranger is engulfed in fire Saturday night after being hit by a Norfolk Southern train on Hwy. 290 and near the overpass on J. Verne Smith Parkway.
Douglas Mallory
Police reported David Snelgrove was found completely unclothed and unresponsive at the scene. When officers removed Snelgrove from the fiery crash he began to make grunting sounds.
Douglas Mallory
The conductor of the Norfolk Southern train said it was traveling about 60 miles per hour when it collided with the vehicle.
The train collided with the vehicle near the construction entrance to the Greer Inland Port.
Office James Compton reported he arrived in the area at E. Poinsett Street and Hwy. 80 and saw a 2005 Ford Ranger engulfed in flames, with David Snelgrove, 32, lying on the ground, unresponsive, and first thought to be deceased.
Snelgrove was reportedly completely unclothed and a shoe was located approximately 20 feet away. After police officers canvassed the area for other possible injured persons, they reportedly moved Snelgrove away from the fire, and he began to make grunting sounds. EMS and first responders attended to him and prepared him for a flight to Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
The train’s conductor, Samuel Green, told police the train was running approximately 60 miles per hour when it struck the vehicle. Green said he checked the entire length of the train and didn’t locate any other damage or persons.
Compton reported he located a set of tire marks where Green said the vehicle was when struck by the train.
Robin Chapman, Director of Public Relations for Norfolk Southern, said the railroad’s police department will also perform its own investigation. “We will gather the facts and talk to the witnesses we can,” Chapman said.
There are gates and warning lights yards away from where the accident occurred.
No charges were filed as of Monday evening. The investigation is continuing.
Hospital officials told Greer police that Snelgrove was in stable condition and underwent 2-3 hours of surgery.