From our February 22, 2001, edition.

Local woman injured in train wreck 

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

A Burlington Northern-Santa Fe coal train collided with a local woman’s car Saturday east of Clarendon.

DPS Trooper Chris Ward said 71-year-old Cora Hamilton was southbound on County Road 13 when she crossed the BNSF tracks in front of the eastbound train.

Hamilton’s 1988 Dodge Aspen was struck behind the right front tire. The car was spun around two times and hit a signal pole. Ward said a railroad employee saw Hamilton ejected from the rear window of the car.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department and EMS personnel with the Associated Ambulance Authority responded within minutes of the accident.

“They had a very quick response,” Ward said. “I think the ambulance got there just three or four minutes after I did.”

Ward said Hamilton, who lives northeast of Clarendon, was fortunate in that two Amarillo paramedics were traveling on US 287 and saw the accident occur. They stopped and rendered the initial first aid. The names of those two men were not available at press time.

Hamilton was transported by ambulance to Goodnight where she was picked up by LifeStar helicopter and carried to Northwest Texas Hospital.

She was listed in critical condition in the ICU as of Sunday, Ward said.