Train wreck

Last month a Union Pacific train struck a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train in Rockview, Mo. The crash led to several derailed rail cars, severe damage to a bridge overpass and seven injuries -- though none was serious. The derailment was the third for the area this year.

The local crash is among several in the news. Days before the Rockview crash, a freight train hit a trash truck in Maryland. An explosion followed. One truck driver was seriously injured. Also in May, a commuter train was derailed in Connecticut, injuring 70.

The next step will be to replace the Route M overpass, a project that is estimated to cost $3 million. Mark Shelton, district engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation, told the Southeast Missourian recently that he hopes any cost to taxpayers is minimal.

"We're still working through that process to figure it all out and I don't want to jump to conclusions," he said. "Our way of looking at it is this: Our bridge was there, doing its own thing, then a train hit it and it collapsed. So we're certainly looking at where the responsibility lies and doing what we can to minimize the cost to taxpayers."

Trains play an important role in the transportation of goods. A May 30 Associated Press story noted that train accidents decreased 43 percent from 2003 to 2012. Nevertheless, crashes like the recent ones bring a heightened sense of concern.

Hopefully the Rockview wreck was not a case of negligence. Considering the damage that could have ensued, it's a blessing it did not lead to more injuries. For this, we are thankful.