By VICKIE JAMBON – Staff Reporter

RESERVE – After spotting a train heading straight for him, a Reserve resident told accident investigators the experience might have sent him back to church.

According to Deputy Juan Byrd of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, Randy Robertson was hurriedly trying to back his car off the track when the train hit the front end of his 1998 Saturn at 4:33 p.m. on Louisiana Highway 628.

The 60-car train was travelling west at 38 miles per hour when it slammed into Robertson’s car, Byrd said.

“He got in the train’s way,” said Byrd who handled the accident. Robertson had his radio playing and did not hear the approaching train.

Robertson escaped the incident with only minor abrasions to his left arm. He was transported to the River Parish Hospital.

Robertson, thankful to be alive, told Byrd he was going to go to church on Sunday.

This was the second time in five days that a St. John resident was involved in an accident with a Canadian National Railroad train.