2 killed in crash between train, vehicle in central Minnesota

A freight train bound for the Twin Cities struck and killed two people in a vehicle in central Minnesota, authorities said Sunday.

The wreck occurred about 3:15 p.m. Saturday just west of Paynesville, according to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office.

Killed were the car’s driver, Charles Vadner, 52, and passenger Joe Bahner, 23, both of Paynesville. Their vehicle was crossing the tracks, authorities said.

The Canadian Pacific train was heading east and hit the vehicle at the crossing with 182nd St. NE., just south of Hwy. 55, the Sheriff’s Office said.

"The train’s engineer sounded the horn and applied the train’s emergency brake," said Canadian Pacific spokesman Andy Cummings. "It can take a mile or more for a freight train to come to a complete stop."

The train was hauling a variety of freight from Edmonton to St. Paul, and none of its load was lost, Cummings said.

In incidents such as these, Cummings said, "It is CP’s practice to relieve the crew of duty and offer critical stress counseling. There can be a significant emotional impact on the crew."