This Dodge Durango was hit by a CN freight train Jan. 29, on a private driveway in Milford. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. (Healey photo)

Updated Jan. 29 at 1:20 p.m.

MILFORD: An RCMP spokesperson says a 37-year-old man was lucky to only suffer minor injuries after his vehicle collided with a CN freight train early on the morning Jan. 29, in Milford.

The man, the lone occupant of the Dodge Durango, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre with non-life threatening injuries following the collision on a private driveway.

Firefighters from Elmsdale and Milford, EHS paramedics and Enfield RCMP responded to the 8:27 a.m., mishap. The Jaws of Life were used to free the driver.

Evidence of the Dodge Durango sliding on the road was clear and firefighters reported they believed the driver didn’t know how far up they had gone before the CN freight train hit their vehicle.

As a result of the collision, the vehicle rolled before coming to rest about 10 metres from the tracks on its roof, with items from the vehicle strewn about.

Sgt. Bridgit Leger, Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson, said the man, whose name hasn’t been released, was lucky to escape with just the injuries he suffered. Officers at the scene reported he was wearing his seatbelt.

“Absolutely (he was lucky),” Sgt. Leger said. “As you can appreciate, any time that there’s an impact between a motor vehicle and a train, the fact he came out alive with relatively minor injuries, considering the nature of the collision, is amazing.”

While the man is believed to have been returning home after dropping his children off at school, reportedly only suffered shoulder injuries and was being transported to hospital by EHS, Sgt. Leger said police wouldn’t release the details or nature of the injuries the man suffered.

“We don’t disclose any personal information like that,” she added.

Highway 2 around the scene was reduced to one lane as RCMP and firefighters directed traffic. The driveway to the residence is noticeable from the highway for its blue colour.

Firefighters at the incident site said blowing snow may have been a contributing factor, but that wasn’t final as RCMP traffic analysts were on the scene investigating.

At about 9 a.m., an investigator from CN arrived on the scene to conduct their investigation.

Emergency first responders were originally dispatched to Woodworth Road however it actually occurred further up the road, past National Gypsum on the right hand side of the road, on a private driveway.

Sgt. Leger said the scene was cleared by about 11 a.m. and that police are continuing their investigation into the matter.

phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com