Dump truck overturns onto train tracks in Woodstock

A dump truck rests on train tracks beside Route 26 in Woodstock on Monday morning, after the driver lost control of it, Oxford County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Daley said. Driver Jeffrey Robidoux, 50, of Woodstock was not hurt. (Alison Aloisio/Bethel Citizen)

WOODSTOCK — A Woodstock driver escaped injury when the dump truck he was operating went through a guardrail on Route 26, rolled over down an embankment and landed upright on train tracks Monday morning, a sheriff’s deputy said.

Jeffrey Robidoux, 50, told investigators the steering wheel on the 2004 Peterbilt locked up as he approached a curve near the baseball field, Oxford County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Daley said.

Robidoux was wearing a seat belt and was able to get out of the cab, Daley said.

“He’s really lucky that the crash wasn’t worse than it was,” Woodstock Fire Chief Kyle Hopps said.

About 35 gallons of diesel fuel spilled, he said.

Robidoux was driving south in the empty truck, which was registered to Cross Excavation in Bethel, about 7 a.m. when the accident occurred.

Investigators will examine the 2004 Peterbilt, which is believed to be a total loss, Daley said.

There was no apparent damage to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad tracks, which were inspected by railroad personnel before train service resumed, the deputy said.

Also at the scene were personnel from PACE Ambulance, Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, Woodstock Fire Department, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Transportation, Maine State Police and Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.

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