It’s easy to forget how dangerous a train crossing can be, especially when you’re rushing through your day. But when a vehicle gets caught or someone misjudges the moment, disaster strikes in seconds. Here are ten incidents that will remind you how quickly a normal day can turn tragic when vehicles meet trains.

Glendale Metrolink SUV Collision

What happens when one person’s mistake causes a commuter train to derail? In 2005, a Metrolink train smashed into a stranded SUV in Glendale, California. The driver that was behind the wheel of the SUV survived by fleeing, but 11 people on the train died, and nearly 180 others were injured in the devastating crash.

Fox River Grove School Bus Tragedy

Some crashes hit the heart harder than others. In 1995, a Metra train collided with a school bus. How and where? The bus was stuck on the tracks in Fox River Grove, Illinois. Seven students tragically lost their lives. Investigators later blamed a poorly designed traffic signal system for the horrific timing mistake.

North Tonawanda Fatal Train Crash

Tragedy hit North Tonawanda, New York, in May 2024. That day, a pickup truck carrying three people got trapped on the tracks as the gates closed. A train slammed into the vehicle, pushing it forward violently for several hundred feet. The crash claimed the lives of all inside, including a six-year-old boy.

Pickup Dragged By A Train In Thailand

Can you imagine a pickup truck being dragged hundreds of feet? That’s exactly what happened in Thailand in 2023 when a train struck a pickup truck at a crossing. Some truck occupants survived with injuries, but the force of the collision? It was so dangerous that it highlighted the urgency for better rail barriers nationwide.

Train Collision In Goshen Raised Alarms

In 2023, a fatal crash in Goshen, Indiana, took the life of an 83-year-old woman. Her vehicle was struck at a railroad crossing. Although the tragedy sparked calls for action, meaningful improvements were still stalled for a long time. The incident became a rallying cry for advocates demanding stronger safety measures.

Buenos Aires Train Collision Injures Dozens

In May 2024, Buenos Aires witnessed a major rail accident when a passenger train collided with a locomotive and an empty car. The crash injured at least 60 people and left the city reeling as investigators worked to piece together how the devastating collision unfolded.

Valhalla Metro-North SUV Crash

Sometimes, small mistakes trigger massive tragedies. In 2015, an SUV broke down on the tracks in Valhalla, New York. A Metro-North train struck it, killing six people and injuring fifteen. The incident remains one of Metro-North’s deadliest accidents that spurred a nationwide reassessment of crossing safety.

Fort Lauderdale Deadly Train Impact

In Fort Lauderdale, a deadly encounter with a freight train in 2022 grabbed headlines. The car was trapped between the crossing gates and had no time to reverse. After the accident, new public safety campaigns spread the message loud and clear: If you’re stuck on the tracks, leaving the car is the safest choice you have.

Brightline Train Strikes Reckless Driver

The Florida-based Brightline is no stranger to heartbreaking headlines. It is known as one of America’s deadliest railroads per mile, mainly due to reckless driving behaviors rather than mechanical problems. In 2022, a driver tried to beat the train across the tracks—and paid the price with his life.

SUV Got Trapped At A Crossing In Jhansi

April 2025. In India’s Jhansi region, a devastating collision occurred when a train slammed into an SUV stuck on the tracks. The impact was brutal and immediate, yet some passengers defied the odds and survived. The crash reignited urgent discussions about the need for upgrades to rural railway crossings in India.