US Army Howitzer Destroyed in Train Collision at South Carolina Crossing
A freight train collided with a stationary US Army M109 Paladin howitzer at a railway crossing in Goose Creek, South Carolina. The $1.5 million military vehicle was severely damaged, but no injuries were reported.
In a recent incident in Goose Creek, Berkeley County, South Carolina, a freight train collided with a stationary US Army vehicle at a railway crossing. The event, which occurred approximately 1 year and 9 months ago, resulted in significant damage to a military asset but fortunately caused no injuries.
The vehicle involved was an M109 Paladin howitzer, a self-propelled 155mm artillery piece valued at $1.5 million. This sophisticated piece of military equipment, which entered service in 1963 and has undergone continuous upgrades, was being transported on a lorry when it became immobilized on the tracks.
Eyewitness accounts, supported by dashcam footage, describe a tense scene moments before the collision. The recording captured the sound of blaring horns and screeching brakes as the freight train approached the stranded vehicle. Despite these warning signals, the train was unable to stop in time.
The impact of the collision was severe. The train struck the stationary howitzer, causing significant damage to the military vehicle. The 155mm gun of the Paladin, capable of firing projectiles up to 30 km away, was seen spinning as a result of the impact. This incident highlights the immense force involved in train collisions and the potential dangers at railway crossings.
Sonya Pitt, a witness to the event, provided a statement to WCSC, a local news outlet:
"He jumped out of the truck and the train was coming. And maybe five seconds later the train hit and destroyed everything."
This account suggests that the lorry driver managed to escape from the vehicle mere moments before the collision, averting potential loss of life.
The M109 Paladin, weighing approximately 27,500 kg, is designed to operate in various terrains and weather conditions. It typically has a crew of four, including a commander, driver, gunner, and loader. The latest version, the M109A7, was introduced in 2015 and features numerous improvements over its predecessors.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of railway crossing safety and the potential consequences of vehicle immobilization on tracks. It also highlights the vulnerability of even the most robust military equipment when faced with the immense force of a moving train.
The collision resulted in the loss of a valuable military asset. The M109 Paladin has been a staple of US Army artillery units for decades, having been used in various conflicts including Vietnam and Iraq. Its ability to fire at a rate of 4 rounds per minute and rotate 360 degrees for omnidirectional firing makes it a versatile weapon system.
As investigations into the incident continue, it is likely that both military and civilian authorities will review procedures for transporting heavy military equipment across railway crossings to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
