Emergency Number Found On All Railroad Crossings

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – When you’re approaching a railroad crossing, you’ll see many signs alerting you that you’re about to cross one.

There’s also an emergency sign you’ll see as you pass over the railroad track that first responders say is often overlooked.

Railroad crossings are marked with signs, crossing bars, and lights.

Crossings also have this blue sign posted on poles located on both sides of the track for emergencies.

“It tells the crossing number and the 1-800 number to call, to tell the railroad where you’re at and what crossing you’re having trouble with,” says Okolona Fire Chief Terry Tucker.

That number connects you to the railroad company’s emergency dispatch and can make the difference if you ever get stuck on a railroad track.

“Trains that are en-route to that location, it will stop them, divert them around that crossing. The main thing is getting them stopped before they get to that intersection, if there’s an emergency at that intersection,” says Chickasaw County EMA Director, Linda Griffin.

Okolona has one railroad that runs through town, with five railroad crossings located around the area.

Cars and trucks drive over them daily, but this sign is still invisible to many.

“It’s a rude awakening for some, because, like, we’ve been here all of our life and crossing back and forth across that track and never would have imagined that number was there,” says Okolona Police Chief William Randle Jr.

Berdell Judd says there needs to be more publicity about this number for public safety.

“We have people walking across these tracks. We have people driving across these tracks and I work right here and it would be a good thing for me to know. If my little truck were to get caught in these tracks to have somebody to call.”

Griffin says if you were to ever get stuck at a railroad crossing, exit the car, call 911, and then call the railroad number.