BNSF Train Collision with Combine

DATE & TIME: 9 October 2023 11:52 am                                   

LOCATION: E. Apple Rd between S.96^th and S.110 rd Firth, Ne                                

OFFENSE: BNSF Train Collision with Combine           

CASE #: 2023-5065            

On Monday 9 October 2023, at approximately 11:52 am Gage County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a collision between a Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) train and a combine. The collision occurred at the railroad crossing on East Apple Rd between S. 96^th rd and S.110 rd. The combine caught on fire and the fire spread to one of the railcars that was carrying coal.

65 yr old Benjamin Scholting of Louisville was operating the eastbound combine at the time of the accident was pronounced dead at the scene.

S.96^th and S.110^th rd intersections and E. Apple rd. were closed for several hours while the accident was being investigated.

The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting the accident investigation.

Neither Drugs or Alcohol are considered to be a factor in the accident.

Gage County Sheriff’s deputies, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroad police officers responded to the scene along with Firth Rural Fire, Adams Fire and Rescue, Cortland Fire and Rescue, and Clatonia Fire and Rescue.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Deputy Mike Hager #9038