Rail Collision Spills Frozen Food At Lakeland Crossing

LAKELAND, FL—Christmas came early to some Lakeland residents who helped themselves to spilled packages of frozen meats after a CSX train struck a semi-truck carrying a load of food.

According to a press release issued by CSX Railroad, a CSX train traveling from Winter Haven to Jacksonville struck the truck near North Ingraham Avenue around midnight last night, Dec. 13. The train was carrying 48 loads of mixed freight and 17 empty cars.

Railroad officials say there were no injuries to the train crew or the truck driver. However, the impact split the trailer of the Colorado Boxed Beef Co. semi-truck in half, spilling its contents throughout the railroad crossing.

Before Lakeland police arrived on the scene, a number of bystanders helped themselves to packages of frozen beef, chicken and fish, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

North Ingraham Aveue at Oak Street was closed in both directions during the accident cleanup but reopened by 7:45 a.m.

Police are still investigating the cause of the collision.

Colorado Boxed Beef Co., which has a distribution center in Lakeland, delivers a variety of brands of meats and seafood to grocery stores throughout the area.

Photo via Colorado Boxed Beef Co. website