Tragedy struck the small town of Lucio Blanco on August 11, 2005, when a tractor-trailer rig, pulling two large trailors consisting of propane tanks, attempted to beat an approaching frieght train over a crossing.  Despite the train's warning sounds from its horn, the tractor-trailor rig attemted to cross the railroad tracks, and was struck by the train.  The collision was catastrophic, as both the truck driver and the train engineer died in the collision.

Left:  Left:  A firefighter from nearby Valley Hermoso attempts to put out the fire.  Right:  Attemping to put out the raging flames.  Due to mutual aid agreements, agencies responded from both sides of the border.

The collision killed six persons and injured at least 44, mostly persons working in small businesses and restaurants located adjacent to the railroad track.

The truck, owned by Techno Gas of Monterrey, Mexico was hauling two tanks of liquid propane gas.  Nearby witnesses say the truck didn't stop at the railroad crossing, when the train blew it's horn.

According to the Valley Morning Star, newspaper, of Harlingen, Texas, Joseph Horn, of the Brownsville Fire Department, reported that  "It's a mutual aid agreement, we help each other out."  And they did, as crews from both sides of the border fought the fire until is was extinguished.

The blasts gutted a six-block area, damaging at least a dozen structures in the settlement, which sits amid farm and ranch land outside Matamoros and comprises little more than a few shops selling crafts and snacks to travelers, as Lucio Blanco is a very small town.

The crossing where the accident occurred now beres an ominous name:  "El Crucero de los Muertos."  Translated loosely into English that means "death crossing."  Since the accident, no upgrades have occurred; the crossing is not controlled by flashing lights, as only a wooden warning sighn marks the "crossing of dearh."

Left:  Fellow firefighters assist an injured teamember, while fighting the huge blaze at Lucio Blanco, Tamulipas, Mexico.  Right:  A weary firefighter receives a drink, from a member of a different agencies.  Both A.P. photos are courtesy of Valley Morning Starr, Gabe Hernandez.

Fast forward to April of 2006 to attempt to cope with the lives of innocent victims of the crash who were unlucky enough to just "be there, in the wrong place at the wrong time..."

Not only were six people killed, but scores were injured and forced to undergo painful burn surgery and skin grafts.  Many of the injured will be in pain for the rest of their lives, as well as emotionally and physically scarred for life.  Lucio Blanco is not a "glitzy" border down, it is a small town, populated by honest and hard-working people who mostly depend on agriculture to make a living.  

Left:  These folks not only had their business destroyed, but their home as well.  Right:  They're beginning to rebuild their pottery business, but it takes time and money.

Like many small towns in Mexico, many people rely on small restaurants and artisan shops to earn a living, which in many cases is just enough to make ends meet.  They have little, if any savings, and few have any kind of health insurance.  The blast that tore through Lucio Blanco had a ripple effect, as not only did it burn and level a good deal of the town, but it completely tore apart peoples lives, and for many, it wiped out the only way they had to make a living.

The Mexican government did provide some help to the injured in that each survivor received several thousand dollars, and a good deal of their injuries were treated.  But for the ones who will require years of physical therapy, this is woefully inadequate.  The people of Lucio Blanco are well along with the task of rebuilding their small town.

Left:  Left:  This young mother received extensive burns on her arms, and after many operations, still only has partial use of her arms.  Right:  This family is all smiles, as they're on the road to recovery.

The hard-working people of Lucio Blanco need help, but they aren't asking for a hand-out.  How can you help?  A local grocer came up with the idea of selling coupons for food.  As donations are received, they are used to purchase coupons at the grocery store, so the families can purchase needed essentials.  The grocer does not make any money on this deal, as when a family uses a coupon to purchase groceries, they receive a whopping 15% discount.  If you're familiar with the razor-thin profit margins in the grocery business, you know that this is a generous offer.

Left:  Looking west in the direction that the train came from.  Right:  With a devistated building in the background, a roadside vendor has set up shop on the highway, next to the railroad crossing.  Photos taken October 3, 2006.

If you're interested in helping out the folks of Lucio Blanco, please email this link for further information. ednanjerry@earthlink.net

As of this writing, October 27, 2006, help is still despritely needed, as the Mexican government as stated that they can provide no more assistance, due to lack of funding.  My friends Jerry and Edna are spearheading a grass-roots effort to help these folks get back on their feet.  Believe me, they don't want welfare, they just want the means to rebuild their shattered lives and continue what they were doing before the catastrophic event.  Please contact Jerry and Edna t the above email address to see how you can help.  Thanks for your help.

Photos:  Nothing has changed to address the safety issues at this busy railroad crossing.  Photos were taken October 3, 2006.

 

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