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Menlo woman seriously injured in car vs. train accident Wednesday

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November 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol reports a Menlo woman was seriously injured Wednesday evening when the car she was driving collided with a train, in Guthrie County. 41-year old Amanda Powell was driving a 2003 Chevy Malibu at around 7:40-p.m., when she became distracted while crossing a set of railroad tracks. Her car hit a set of parked railroad cars, which were being prepared for hook-up to an engine. The rail cars and train are owned by Iowa Interstate Railroad.

The woman was flown from the scene by helicopter to a Des Moines hospital. There was no word on the extent of Powell’s injuries, but officials said while they were serious, the injuries did not appear to be life threatening. Assisting the Iowa State Patrol at the scene of the crash, were personnel from Menlo Fire and Rescue, and the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.