Rochester driver hurt in accident involving freight train

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man sustained minor injuries on Monday when his vehicle was struck by a New Hampshire Northcoast freight train.

The accident occurred shortly after noon at the Summer Street railroad crossing when officers say 60-year-old Basel Alkurabi's stationary 2013 Mercedes S-Class was struck by the train's locomotive, which luckily, was estimated to be only going about 2 mph when the impact occurred.

The vehicle, which had been stopped past the white stop line, was struck on its front passenger side and sustained minor damage.

Alkurabi was a little shaken up and transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital with what were described as nonlife threatening injuries. The Mercedes was towed from the scene.

Alkurabi was summonsed for stopping in a prohibited zone.

Rochester Police took the opportunity to remind drivers to observe and obey stop lines on the roadways as they are designed to provide a safe standoff distance to prevent collisions with trains and turning vehicles.