By Guy Page

The second collision between an Amtrak train and a car since last Friday occurred Tuesday, October 10 in Ferrisburgh.

Unlike the Friday, October 6 accident in Vernon, in which a Brattleboro man driving a car died, Tuesday’s accident led only to minor injuries.

Just before 11 AM, state troopers responded to a report of a crash involving a train and two cars. A Kia Sedona driven by Nicholas Rampone, 33 of Ferrisburgh was traveling south on US Route 7 before stopping at the signaling railroad grade crossing. At that time, a Volkswagen Golf driven by Alexa Buskey, 46, of Ferrisburgh was traveling southbound behind Rampone. 

Police say Rampone did not notice the flashing railroad signals or Buskey with enough time to stop. In an attempt to avoid a collision with Buskey, Rampone turned right, and the two cars collided. 

Rampone then left the southbound lane, and the front end of his car struck the front-left corner of the train, which was traveling east at less than 30 MPH. This caused Rampone’s car to rotate counterclockwise and its rear-end to strike the left side of the train. Both cars came to positions of uncontrolled rest.  

At the time of the crash, the train was carrying 59 passengers and 7 crew members, none of whom were injured. Rampone was transported by ambulance to Porter Medical Center for a precautionary evaluation. US Route 7 was closed to motor vehicle traffic for about 45 minutes as a result of this incident. 

Troopers were assisted on scene by members of the Vergennes Police Department, DMV Police, Ferrisburgh Fire Department and Vergennes Area Rescue Squad. 

In February, a tractor-trailer and an Amtrak train collided in Sharon.