Man Dies After Amtrak Train Hits Fertilizer Truck

Authorities say a worker at a farm chemical company died after his fertilizer truck was struck by an Amtrak train in the east-central Illinois community of Savoy.

Champaign County Sheriff officials say the 42-year-old man was from Newman, but his name hasn't been released. He died after being airlifted to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Authorities tell The (Champaign) News-Gazette the man was driving a three-wheeled fertilizer truck out of a farm field on Thursday night when he drove in front of the northbound Amtrak train.

The train had about 100 passengers on board and several complained of sore necks after the collision.

Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Mills says the front of the train was heavily damaged and towed to a terminal.

Savoy is about four miles south of Champaign.