(Michigan City, IN) - There was a collision last night between a freight train and charter bus in Michigan City where only one of the 13 passengers aboard needed to be taken to a hospital, authorities said.

 

The bus was taking passengers of the South Shore Railroad commuter line from the Carroll Avenue station to Gary, before pulling out in front of a South Shore freight train at around 8 p.m. at a crossing just a short distance from the passenger station.

 

Mike Noland, who’s president and general manager of the commuter line, said the freight train was not traveling very fast when its brakes were applied.

 

Impact was made a short time later.

 

“There was a very low speed collision,” he said.

 

Noland said the condition of the person taken to a hospital was not known but he doesn’t believe the injuries were serious.

 

Buses are being used to transport commuter line riders to and from Michigan City and Gary due to ongoing construction of what’s commonly referred to as the “double track” between the cities.  

 

Noland said the passengers arrived at the Carroll Avenue station from South Bend and were placed on the charter bus to resume their westbound trip.

 

Trains are still running from Michigan City to and from South Bend and from Gary to and from Chicago.