This 1999 Ford Expedition came out on the losing end when it was hit by a train in Hay River last week. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The accident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 21.

It happened at the Birch Road railway crossing, near the Rooster convenience store, as the train was heading north.

The SUV was pushed about 150 metres down the tracks before coming to rest on the side of the railway embankment.

The crossing is marked but there are no lights or barriers, explained RCMP Const. Brock Linaker.

The male driver, whose name has not been released by police, was the only person in the vehicle.

Minor injuries

He was taken to hospital with minor cuts and bruises, and released later that evening.

The train crushed the passenger side of the vehicle, Linaker said.

"In my opinion, it's a write-off," he said.

Linaker was still investigating the accident last week and would not comment on the cause.

The officer advised people in Hay River and Enterprise to be careful around railway crossings, and to yield the right of way to trains.

"Obviously, the train's not stopping," he says.