Female dies in train collision near Rathdrum

RATHDRUM — The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that a young female died during a vehicle collision with a Union Pacific train in the Rathdrum area at 7:40 a.m. today.

KCSD is working on identifying the victim and will notify next of kin. Her identity is expected to be released later today.

The female was the lone occupant in the vehicle.

Lt. Stu Miller said the collision occurred near Ramsey Road just north of Boekel. He said there are no crossing arms at the intersection, but there are lights.

The train pushed the white car about 70 feet down the tracks.

It is the first fatality involving a train collision this year on the Rathdrum Prairie.

More details will be released as they become available.