Two dead after train collides with vehicle

ELWOOD, Ill. (AP) -- An Amtrak train headed for Chicago collided<br>with a truck this morning, killing two men who were thrown from the<br>truck, officials said. No one aboard the train was hurt.<br>

Wednesday, August 25th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ELWOOD, Ill. (AP) -- An Amtrak train headed for Chicago collided
with a truck this morning, killing two men who were thrown from the
truck, officials said. No one aboard the train was hurt.

Authorities said the accident happened at a private gravel
crossing near Elwood, about 40 miles south of Chicago. The crossing
had a stop sign and a sign pointing out the crossing on one side,
but no flashing lights or gates, Will County Sheriff's Lt. Marty
Shifflet said.

The train, known as the Statehouse, was carring 103 passengers
from St. Louis to Chicago when the crash occurred, Amtrak
spokeswoman Debbie Hare said.

Shifflet said the train stayed on track and showed little
damage, while the truck was "extremely twisted."

"It was demolished and on fire," Shifflet said.

The train was stopped for about an hour, Hare said.

The victims' names were not immediately released.