Maynard Teenager Dies After Black Hawk County Car, Train Crash
A Maynard teenager was killed in a weekend accident involving a car and train in Black Hawk County.
Sheriff's officials said 15-year-old Kate Michels suffered fatal injuries when a vehicle driven by her 18-year-old sister Emma Michels, also of Maynard, was struck by the train Saturday afternoon. The accident happened in the 1000 block of S. Canfield Road (County Road V-51) about 10 miles east of Raymond.
According to sheriff's officials, the Michels' car was going southbound on Canfield Road and attempted to cross the railroad tracks at the same time an eastbound train was entering the crossing. Authorities said it appears that the train's whistle was performing correctly and the crossing's red flashing lights and rail crossing bell were activated and also performing correctly.
Sheriff's officials identified the crash victims Monday and confirmed that the sisters both suffered injuries in the collision. Ambulances from Dunkerton and Jesup transported the teenagers to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo for treatment. Authorities said Kate Michels was later air-lifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, where she died on Sunday.
The accident remains under investigation.
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