Authorities release name of victim in train-combine collision

BEATRICE – Nebraska State Patrol and Gage County Sheriff’s authorities released the identity of a man killed in a collision Monday, between a combine and a Burlington Northern-Santa Fe train south of Firth.

The victim was 65-year-old Benjamin Scholting, of Louisville.  The eastbound combine he was operating on Apple Road went onto the tracks, where it was struck by the southbound train hauling coal. 

The combine caught fire with the flames spreading to one of the railcars.

The collision closed intersections for several hours, at South 96^th and South 110^th Road, on Apple Road.  The accident occurred at a gravel road crossing where there are stop signs for vehicle traffic, railroad crossbucks…but no warning lights.   The crossing is midway between Firth and the E-Energy Adams ethanol plant.

Firth, Adams, Cortland and Clatonia fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene, along with BNSF Police.