PLUMMER, Minn. - A semi-truck driver who lost his life in a crash with a train near here early Saturday has been identified.
Dale J. Buzzell, 65, of Isanti, Minn. was driving north on U.S. Highway 59 when his vehicle collided with an eastbound Canadian Pacific Railway train crossing the road.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Buzzell died at the scene.
The crash happened just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday and caused several of the train cars to derail. One of them was carrying bunker oil, a heavy, thick fuel, which had started leaking.
Because the vehicle contained hazardous materials, Plummer residents were briefly evacuated after the collision. The measure was precautionary only and there was no risk to the public.
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Cleanup and the investigation continued Sunday, requiring the highway south of Plummer to be closed until further notice, with a detour running east and south of town.
Highway 59 at Plummer and south for several miles will remain closed until further notice as crews continue their investigation and cleanup of the crash site, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Southbound traffic is detoured east of Plummer on County Road 1 for seven miles, then south on County Road 5 to state Highway 222, then west on state HIghway 92 six miles back to Highway 59. Northbound traffic follows the same route, going east of 59 on state Highway 92. The accident
Plummer, population 292, is southeast of Thief River Falls.
