Local Farmer Injured After Tractor Collides With Train at Crossing

On Nov. 12, 2025, just before 2:00 p.m., a tractor driven by a 67 year old man from Henning was struck at a Canadian Pacific Railroad crossing, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. The farmer was unable to stop before the oncoming southbound train. He was transported to a Perham hospital with minor injuries, and no one on the train was hurt.

Deputies reported the tractor was totaled while the train sustained only minor damage. Neighbors at the scene helped clear machinery from the tracks, allowing crews to remove debris and reduce hazards. The Sheriff’s Office provided the initial incident details to local media and listed the event as an accident while investigators continue routine inquiries.

The immediate local impact is both human and economic. The tractor loss represents a substantial cost for a small operation, even when injuries are minor. For many Otter Tail County residents who rely on a narrow set of machinery for planting, harvest and maintenance, replacing or repairing a tractor can mean delayed work, added expense and reliance on rental equipment or neighbors. Community assistance at the scene reduced the risk of secondary incidents and helped restore safety more quickly.

Beyond the individual case, the collision highlights ongoing concerns about rail crossings in rural Minnesota. Many country crossings lack active gates or signals and depend on adequate sightlines and driver caution. Where trains pass at speed, stopping distances for heavy farm equipment can be long, especially on soft or uneven shoulders. Local officials and railroad representatives typically review such incidents to determine whether changes to signage, sightlines or warning systems are warranted, and residents often look to those reviews for steps that might prevent future collisions.

From a public safety and policy perspective, this accident reinforces the importance of awareness at crossings and of regular maintenance of farm equipment braking systems. It also raises questions about infrastructure investment priorities in rural counties where a single collision can impose disproportionate costs on a household and on emergency responders.

For now the injured Henning resident is recovering, and investigators continue to document the scene. The episode serves as a reminder to drivers of slow moving vehicles to plan extra time when approaching rail crossings and to neighbors and local officials to consider practical measures that reduce collision risk in Otter Tail County.