GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro police said one person is dead after an accident involving a train and a DH Griffin forklift Wednesday morning.
It happened around 8:30 a.m. and police said it involved an Amtrak train at Hilltop Road near Roediger Court. The train was traveling northbound on railroad tracks.
Police said Margarito Alfonso-Cruz, 51, was operating a forklift east of Hilltop Road. Crossing lights and stop arms were activated due to an oncoming train when the forklift was halfway across the tracks.
Alfonso-Cruz was killed after the train collided with the forklift.
DH Griffin Wrecking released a statement regarding the death of one of its workers.
"The D.H. Griffin family is in shock today having lost one of our own in a tragic accident. We have spoken with his family. We are committed to supporting and caring for them and our team members during this time of unspeakable sorrow. We are also committed to working with the authorities throughout the investigation," the company said.
DH Griffin said Alfonso-Cruz had worked with the company for 20 years.
The Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSH) has opened an inspection into the facility, which is by the train tracks.
WFMY News 2 was able to speak with a passenger who was on board the train when the crash happened. The passenger said they were riding down the track when he felt a few strong bumps and then the train stopped. He said he was told there was an incident and the engine wasn't working.
The passenger said the Amtrak train was headed from Charlotte up the northeast and was expected to stop in Greensboro a little after 8 a.m.
Amtrak released a statement Wednesday following the crash:
"Today, Sept. 4, Train 80 traveling from Charlotte to New York came into contact with a vehicle obstructing the track. The incident happened this morning before 9 a.m. There have been no reported injuries to the 147 passengers or crew onboard. Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident. Service on the train has been temporarily disrupted as it waits for a new crew to arrive."
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