Two Nowata teen-agers killed

NOWATA, Okla. (AP) -- A car carrying Nowata High School students was split in two by a freight train, killing two teen-agers and<br>critically injuring two others.<br><br>Ryan Kalbrier, a sophomore, and

Monday, November 29th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NOWATA, Okla. (AP) -- A car carrying Nowata High School students was split in two by a freight train, killing two teen-agers and
critically injuring two others.

Ryan Kalbrier, a sophomore, and Terry Royer, a freshman, were killed in the accident about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. They were pronounced
dead at the scene.

Kalbrier was driving the car as it tried to cross the downtown railroad tracks in front of the train, authorities said.

Junior Cristel Horton and freshman John Brown were listed in critical condition Monday at Tulsa hospitals.

"We don't know if they were trying to beat the train or if they just weren't paying attention," Officer Will Hadley said.

The crossing does not have crossing arms or lights. It has a stop sign, which Hadley said the teen-agers ignored.

"There were no skid marks up to the tracks. They just ran it," Hadley said.

The train was carrying 50 cars and traveling about 40 mph when it collided with the car.

Principal Gary Conway said counselors were on hand Monday for the high school's 325 students.

"They were average teen-agers -- good kids," Conway said. "I think our kids are doing as well as can be expected.