ELM GROVE, Wis. -- A minivan was hit by a southbound freight train at 9:38 a.m. Monday in Elm Grove.
It happened on Juneau Boulevard near Village Park.Police said that traffic was backed up on Juneau Boulevard because of a parade that was supposed to start within the hour and that when the gates came down, two vehicles were stuck between the gates. A father was in the first vehicle. A mother, two toddlers and an infant were in the minivan behind him, police said. The father got across and then went back to try and rescue his wife and children. A police officer saw what was happening and joined in.They were trying to get the baby out of a car seat when the officer and father were hit by the train and were hurled across the pavement, police said.The toddlers and the mother got out safely.
Another man, Tim Weiner got the baby out safely."I ran over I saw him he looked to me like he was dead, but he wasn't. I ran over to the officer who was the first one there, and I just saw him, and he looked like he had dislocated his shoulder. He definitely broke his leg. I saw it break when he hit. He just told me, 'Go to the car. Get the kid out of the car.' Here he was lying in pain, and all he thought was about getting that kid out. Amazing," Weiner said.
The officer was taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital. The father was also taken to Froedtert. Their conditions are not known.As of 1:25 p.m., the train was leaving, but Juneau Boulevard was still closed east of Elm Grove Road.The train was a Canadian Pacific train.The Memorial Day parade was about to kick off but has now been canceled.
