Two separate trains hit vehicles south of Castle Rock

Authorities say a driver was injured Friday morning after attempting to beat a train crossing the tracks at Horseshoe Bend Road and Pleasant Hill Road, south of Castle Rock. 

Another train hit an empty stalled vehicle later that night about seven minutes south at Flatt Road and Sakari Lane.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office urges drivers to be careful when crossing tracks.

The first accident occurred at about 9 a.m., when first responders discovered a damaged vehicle and stopped train at Horseshoe Bend Estates and Pleasant Hill Road.

The driver, a woman who was not identified in a sheriff's office notice, was airlifted to Vancouver's Southwest Washington Medical Center with serious injuries.

A witness told authorities the driver tried to beat the train, but the crash is still being investigated.

Just before 9 p.m., responders were also called to Flatt Road and Sakari Lane, off Pleasant Hill Road, when a train hit a stalled vehicle, the sheriff's office reports. Everyone was able to exit the vehicle before the crash.

Train traffic was paused after both wrecks while emergency crews worked and to determine the areas were safe.