Yikes! T-boned? Is there an interlocking underneath that overpass? Years ago "t-bone" meant an almost 90 degree impact.
I don't live too far from this wreck and have crossed that overpass many times. The UP trains are backed up almost up to my house which is about 30 miles away or so. It's a very busy line for UP.
What would be more likely to cause this? Human error or signalling malfunction? Very puzzling how this could occur. Thank goodness it happened when it did I guess :s
UP-BNSF Collision Takes Out Bridge Pretty amazing that no one was killed in this one... http://news.yahoo.com/two-freight-trains-collide-missouri-seven-injured-134659636.html
Local news just showed some footage of the wreck site. A UP auto rack was busted open revealing a new Jeep. That is tragic.
Wow, I used to drive over that bridge often while out railfanning when I lived in Cape Girardeau, and took photos from the top of it from time to time.... It was an interesting set-up, with the crossing diamond being directly below the overpass. A very busy stretch of railroad, I bet UP is scrambling to get it put back together as quickly as possible. Glad to hear there are no fatalities.