Harvest season turned tragic in rural Cass County on Thursday, when a combine and a BNSF train collided about five miles northwest of Page, killing the combine driver.

Troopers with the North Dakota Highway Patrol said the 33-year-old man from Colgate, N.D., was found dead inside the combine after the collision. The impact caused the lead engine of the train to catch fire and derailed nearly two dozen train cars. Crews with BNSF are still arriving to begin cleanup operations, which could take several days.

Just before 11 a.m., the 2020 John Deere combine was headed south on a township road about five miles south of Page, N.D., when it ran into the side of the westbound lead engine. The rail crossing is marked but not controlled.

The impact caused the lead locomotive to catch fire, and a

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