Shortly before noon today, a CSX train traveling south struck a taxi cab on Doyles Ln., just east of Kings Highway in the Saugerties hamlet of Mount Marion.
As a result of the impact, Bertha Whispell, 50, of Saugerties, a rear seat passage in the taxi, was ejected. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger of the taxi, Rodney Smith, 52, as well as driver Phillip Prindle, 43, of Kingston, were treated at the scene by paramedics from Diaz Ambulance and transported to the Health Alliance Hospital Kingston Broadway Campus.
As of late Thursday afternoon, the injuries sustained by Prindle and Smith reported to be non-life threatening.
The events leading to the crash are still under investigation by the Saugerties Police Detectives Division.
Saugerties Police were assisted at the scene by members from the New York State Police, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, CSX Police, the Mount Marion Fire Department and the Centerville Cedar Grove Fire Department.
Hell of a way to run a railroad.
My heart and thoughts are with the woman who lost her life as well as her family. And I pray for a speedy recovery for all others involved. Such a tragedy.
My prayers are for the women who died being she was my cousin Bert and who cares if she had seat belt on or not you shouldn’t try to out run a train
Thank you and may God Bless you
My prayers are with not only the victims and their families but of the train crew who are powerless to stop this. Often people forget about the people who operate the train and can do nothing but watch as it happens. Freight trains that weigh thousands of tons cannot stop on a dime and take up to a mile to come to a Full stop. The best way that people can honor the lives lost is to make sure that you never try to beat a train to a Crossing or drive around lowered gates. Remember, if you try to race a train to a Crossing and it’s a tie you lose your life.
I like how they make it sound like it was the trains fault. It was the cab that was someplace it should not have been.
My thoughts and prayers are with you my beautiful cousin, you truly were a good woman. I was blessed to have grown up with you as well as my brother and I will always treasure those moments every day of my life. It has really effected our family. I’m glad to know that my mother was the last person that talked with you and she was able to tell you that she loved you. You have been hurt by so many people and you never said anything bad about them. I can say that because she loved her family so very much. And when ever I saw her she never said anything bad towards anyone. I also want to tell each one of your children how very much you loved them. I am going to also blame the taxi driver for not following directions when he was driving. He should have taken every precaution that he’s supposed to do as the driver, and you never try to outrun a train.This could have been avoided if you did what you were supposed to be doing and that was stopping until the train went by. And made sure that it was all clear. You didn’t do that, but what you did was you took my cousins life that day. May God have mercy on you. May you Rest In Peace my beautiful cousin, and know that I loved you so very much. Always and forever, Teresa Lynn
To my family, my deepest and sincere apologies for not being able to make it. I would have been there if I was able to walk as well as drive. I would love to remember my cousin the way that she was. This means a lot to me. I’m going through some things right now and I’m just trying to get through this right now. As well as you may be. So I hope that you understand. I love you all and you are in my prayers and thoughts. God bless all of our family during this horrific time, and I pray that God will watch over each one of us as well as protect us In Jesus Name, Amen. Much love to all of you always. Love you always, Teresa Lynn