MACON, Ga. — A 76-year-old woman died after a train collided with her car in North Macon this past week. Now, a witness to the event says the train crossing needs to be made safer.
Bekah Henderson says she saw the incident happen, when her friend was driving her to a job interview. When they reached the Forsyth-Tucker Road intersection, she saw Cheryl Rawls stuck on the tracks.
Henderson said the crossing gates had dropped onto her car, preventing her from leaving the tracks.
“She went to try to back out but the arm was still hitting her bike racks," she said. "So when she went to get out, the arm did not go up. It was like there was no sensor."
Henderson said Rawls then attempted to drive forward, but she saw stuck as the train approached.
"The train had been honking its horns for the entire time," she said. "And I got my window down and I screamed at her to get out."
Henderson said she saw the woman open her car door and then reach back but it was too late.
“So she turned around to unbuckle and it wasn't fast enough for her to get out," she said.
Henderson said she called 911 as the train the train crushed Rawls' car. Now, she wants to see change to the intersection.
"Close it and leave it to one entry way," she said.
She says she's seen too many serious accidents happen there.