Postville School Bus Too Close to Railroad Tracks

On Tuesday, January 25 2022, Postville School Bus #14 driven by Kelly Livingood was southbound on 130th Avenue with two students, aged seven and twelve aboard. The names of the students are being withheld owing to the fact they are minors. Canadian Pacific Train Engine CSXT432 and tankers were traveling eastbound on the railroad at 30 mph, verified later by CP Police Service Special Agent. According to the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office report issued on January 27, 2022, Livengood slowed and stopped near the marked railroad crossing, but was too close to the train tracks and the bus was struck by the train engine. The Postville School bus was pushed off the gravel road to the east and the train engine stopped further east of the railroad crossing. 

The two students on the school bus were checked by First Responders with one student having a non-life threatening injury. Both students were transported to Winneshiek Medical Center Emergency Room in Decorah for further treatment and evaluation. Both students were treated and released. The bus driver Livengood was uninjured, but later went by private vehicle to be checked at the Winneshiek Medical Center Emergency Room. Neither the train conductor nor engineer were injured. Postville School Superintendent Tim Dugger and other school staff at the scene made contact with both students’ parents. 

Superintendent Dugger sent a press release to the Herald at 11:03 am. Stating: “Bus #14 was involved in a train/bus accident this morning at approximately 9:15 A.M.  At the time of the accident, there were two students and the driver on the bus. Winneshiek County Officers were called to the scene, along with emergency services, and school officials. The students were checked out by emergency services and transported to a local hospital to ensure their health and safety. The driver was transported by personal vehicle to obtain medical services.” It is important to note that Tuesday was a “late start” to school due to the extreme cold weather. 

In further correspondence with Superintendent Dugger, the Herald has learned that the Postville Schools “have not heard back from the insurance company, but assuming it [the bus] will be totaled. It was an older bus, therefore it was getting close to the end of its usefulness.” The Winneshiek County Sheriff Department estimated the damage to be approximately $30,000. Additionally, Superintendent Dugger stated that Mr. Livingood does remain in the employ of the Postville Schools. 

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by: Winneshiek County First Responders, Castalia Fire Department, Calmar Police Department, Postville Ambulance, Postville Community School District, lowa State Patrol, Winneshiek County Ambulance, Canadian Pacific Roadmaster, Canadian Pacific Police Services, and Reggies Towing. 

Postville Bus vs. Train Accident - No Injuries

Posted January 25, 2022

The Herald was notified by Postville Superintendent Tim Dugger that Bus #14 was involved in a train/bus accident east of Castalia Tuesday morning, January 25, 2022 at approximately 9:15 a.m. At the time of the accident, there were two students and the driver on the bus. Winneshiek County officers were called to the scene, along with emergency services, and school officials. The students were checked out by emergency services and transported to a local hospital to ensure their health and safety. The driver was transported by personal vehicle to obtain medical services. The Herald is waiting on an update from the sheriffs department on the cause of the accident.