Train blocks EMS for more than 30 minutes during a critical medical emergency

On April 24, 2024, a Norfolk Southern train blocked a Pine Knot railroad crossing, making it impossible for McCreary County EMS to promptly respond to a cancer patient who was breathing heavily and unresponsive.  After a delay of more than thirty minutes due to the stopped train, EMS finally made contact with the patient at 9:13 a.m. and provided transport to the hospital.  Sadly, the patient passed away at the hospital.

“It was very distressing not to be able to help when we had a crew there, such a short distance away,” McCreary County EMS Director Jimmy Barnett said.  “It was a very stressful situation for all of us at EMS- even more so for the patient and the patient’s family.”

The dilemma of stopped trains blocking railroad crossings for extended periods has been an ongoing concern in McCreary County and the surrounding area.  Residents, local officials, and emergency responders frequently express their concerns regarding possible scenarios of Norfolk Southern trains blocking railroad crossings for extended periods during life-or-death situations.

McCreary County Judge Executive Jimmie “Bevo” Greene has voiced his concerns regarding the railroad crossings in the past.  Following the April 24, 2024, incident, Greene doubled down on his efforts.

“I met with State Representative Upchurch this week and will be reaching out to U.S. Congressman Rogers with our concerns,” Greene said.

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In responding to the 911 call on April 24, EMS was required to cross the railroad tracks to reach the patient’s home.  There is no other route to the home.  When the ambulance arrived at the crossing at 8:38 a.m., a Norfolk Southern train blocked the crossing. McCreary EMS called 911 dispatch to contact Norfolk Southern.  The train’s conductor advised he could not move the train due to a parked train on the north and an inbound train from the south.  Norfolk Southern officials advised the same.

911 notified the patient’s family about the situation and requested South McCreary Fire Department to attempt access to the patient by using the Department’s side-by-side vehicle.  South McCreary managed to get on the tracks via the next crossing.   However, before reaching the blocked area, the train received permission to move and began warming up with alarm bells ringing.  Since EMS could not cross tracks between cars or walk around the train until it moved, family members loaded the patient into a private vehicle and transported her to their side of the crossing.  After the train moved, EMS finally made contact, began treatment, and initiated immediate transport.  The hospital was advised of the patient’s situation while the ambulance was in route.

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The railroad crossings at Century Lane in Pine Knot and Mt. Pleasant in Strunk, KY have been particularly bothersome to residents and local officials for quite some time.  Trains have frequently been known to block the crossings for extended periods.  To make matters worse, there are no safe alternate routes for emergency vehicles to take in the event of emergencies.  Repeated complaints have been made to Norfolk Southern.

Earlier this year, McCreary County’s State Representative and Chairperson of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation, Kenneth Upchurch, offered some hope for the Mt. Pleasant crossing when he announced that the state’s current road plan (2024-2026) reflects the state’s budget allocation of more than three million dollars for a railroad crossing bridge and realignment of KY 1470 (Mt. Pleasant).  However, these projects typically take multiple years to process and complete.

The McCreary County Voice has been in correspondence with Norfolk Southern; however, we did not receive a final, definitive response before press time.