By Chris Sadeghi
KXAN
AUSTIN, Texas — A near-collision between Capital Metro train and an Austin-Travis County EMS ambulance is raising questions about safety for both agencies. Video from the train and the downtown MetroRail platform on Jan. 5 show the ambulance, with lights activated for emergency, crossing over the tracks at the 4th and Red River intersection as the train approaches. The train had just departed the downtown station and was traveling at a low speed.
The ambulance driver is still on the job, but has been reassigned to a different position while ATCEMS investigates why they chose to cross the tracks. However, the intersection and its lack of railroad crossing arms are also being scrutinized.
“This intersection is on a small stretch of road in the downtown area where we have the train running along a city street,” said Capital Metro Communications Manager Francine Pares.
Read Full Story: Video shows ‘near-miss’ between ambulance, MetroRail