NORTH BERWICK — The driver of a trash truck who was killed when he collided with the Amtrak Downeaster July 11 may have been distracted by talking on a cell phone, police said today.
Peter Barnum, of Farmington, N.H., who was driving a trailer truck loaded with trash, collided with the northbound Amtrak train and was killed instantly. The train caught fire and several passengers and crew received minor injuries.
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A press release issued by the North Berwick Police Department this afternoon concludes that the “cause of this crash is driver inattention/distraction by the possible use of a mobile communication device by Mr. Barnum.”
The press release, issued by Lt. James Moulton, says that the gates and crossing signals were working.
The investigation was a cooperative effort by several police and federal agencies as well as Triumvirate Environmental, for whom Barnum was driving, and Amtrak.
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