HERKIMER, KS — A tragic collision between a farm vehicle and a freight train in northwest Marshall County on Monday afternoon has claimed the life of a local farmer and left two train conductors hospitalized with serious injuries, authorities report.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. near Herkimer, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Investigators state that Ryan S. Friedrichs, 41, of Herkimer, was operating a 2008 Rogator sprayer southbound on a private drive just south of Harvest Road, roughly a half-mile west of Seventh Road. The farm vehicle failed to stop at a rail crossing stop sign and yield to an oncoming, westbound Union Pacific train.
The train struck the sprayer directly on the driver’s side. The force of the impact ejected Friedrichs from the vehicle. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, but the patrol report confirmed that Friedrichs succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.
The collision also resulted in injuries to the crew operating the Union Pacific train. Conductors Ricki G. Robertson, 60, of Fairbury, Nebraska, and Ryan C. Banahan, 40, of Endicott, Delaware, both sustained suspected serious injuries. Both men were transported by ambulance to Community Memorial Healthcare for treatment.
The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
