SMOKING REMAINS OF A MOTOR HOME
• Above fireman checks out the remains of a motor
home after it was hit by a train at the crossing east
of the Ashgrove Cement Plant west of Nephi on Highway
132. Myrtle Nickols, age 69, died at the scene and
her husband Joseph Nichols, age 77, was transferred to
the University of Utah Burn Center in Salt
Lake. Photo: Shellie Dutson, Millard County
Chronical-Progress
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
An Albany, Oregon, woman was killed when the motorhome
she was a passenger in was struck by a train on SR 132 West
of Nephi.
The victim, riding in the right front passenger
section of the motorhome, Myrtle Nickols, age 69, was burned
in the resulting explosion which occurred at the time of
impact. She died at the scene.
The fatal accident occurred on September 7, 2004 at
approximately 1:30 p.m.
"The accident involved a train (three train engines
coupled together and no train cars), a motorhome pulling a
mini-van, and a separate mini-van," said Utah Highway Patrol
Sgt. Hoby Metz.
He said the train was approaching the crossing heading
northwest and a mini-van had stopped for the train
eastbound.
"There were flashing red lights at the crossing, but
no crossing arms for control on the crossing," said
Metz.
An eastbound motorhome came around a turn and
downgrade to the crossing.
"For an unknown reason (still under investigation),
the driver of the motorhome pulling a mini-van was unable to
stop," said Metz.
The driver of the motorhome, Joseph Nickols, turned
into the westbound lane to avoid colliding with the stopped
mini-van at the crossing. The motorhome was still traveling
and collided with the second or center train engine.
"An immediate explosion took place," said Metz. "It
has been determined that the propane tank's feed line
ruptured."
The driver of the stopped mini-van, Craig Condie of
Lehi, rendered aid to Joseph Nickols and pulled Nickols away
from the burning motorhome.
Nickols, age 77, is expected to recover.
Condie tried to also pull Myrtle Nickols from the
wreckage, but the flames and heat were too intense and he
was unable to help Myrtle Nickols.
Condie had moved his vehicle to avoid a rear-end
collision and then exited his van after the collision.
UHP Trooper Charlie Ray Wilson is the investigating
officer and spent several hours investigating the accident,
said Metz.
There were several men from the nearby cement plant
who responded with their water truck to help put the fire
out at the scene.
"Their efforts are commendable as well as Craig
Condie, driver of the mini-van who should be credited with
saving Joseph Nickols," said Metz. "Also to be commended are
the two workers at the Ash Grove Cement Plant and East Juab
County Ambulance Association from Nephi for rendering the
proper care."
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