One dead after train crash and derailment in Sheboygan on Wednesday afternoon

SHERMAN CITY, Wis. – A 66-year-old tractor-trailer driver from Kewaskum died in an accident involving a Wisconsin Southern train Wednesday afternoon.

The accident occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m.

According to the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office, six train cars and the locomotive derailed. Investigators said the tractor-trailer crossed the Wisconsin Southern Railway railroad crossing and was struck by the northbound train.

“There's a lot of traffic on this road, no stop sign, no guardrails, nothing, no traffic lights. Nothing. Just a yield sign,” said Amber Gadlin.

Gadlin's parents live right next to the railroad crossing, an area that has always caused them concern.

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The Sheboygan County Emergency Management Center received a call about an accident involving a tractor-trailer hauling a tanker full of manure and a train in the W5100 block of Abbott Dr. in the City of Sherman.

When SCSO arrived on scene, the semi was in a ditch near the tracks and on its side, with only a yield sign at the Abbott Dr. crossing.

The driver of the semi-trailer was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

“Even crossing the tracks at high speed is unpredictable, so it’s always best to slow down a bit,” Gadlin explained.

Abbott Dr. will be closed west of State Highway 57. Traffic coming from the west on Abbott Dr. will be detoured and must turn south onto Allen Rd.

Depending on how long the repairs take, the closure could last several days, according to a press release from the SCSO.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol. The SCSO, Sheboygan County Highway Department, Sheboygan County Hazmat Team, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Orange Cross Ambulance, and fire departments from Random Lake, Silver Creek and Plymouth assisted with the incident.

Watch: What we know so far about a train derailment in Sheboygan County:

Train derails after accident in Sheboygan County

Department of Transport records show that there had already been three incidents at this level crossing in the 1980s – in 1980, 1987 and 1989.

This story will be updated as soon as we know more.

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