Rupert, Idaho (KMVT-TV/KSVT-TV) - A Union Pacific Train collided with a water truck Thursday afternoon, leaving the truck driver with severe injuries.

Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr said the accident happened just after 2pm at 800 East North Highway 24. Jose Molina, 34 of Burley was operating a Water Truck on the dirt road near the train tracks. The sheriff said Molina stopped at the intersections stop sign, and then pulled directly in front of the oncoming train that was traveling east.

Sheriff Snarr said he was not sure how many cars the train was pulling or how fast it was traveling, but it was 8000 feet long and it took in excess of 2500 feet to stop. In addition to the truck being totaled, the train engine and a portion of the track was substantially damaged in the crash. A small fire broke out around the engine of the truck but by the time rescue crews arrived, it had been extinguished.

The truck driver was transported to Minidoka memorial hospital but then lifeflighted to Portneuff Medical Center with chest and neck injuries.

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