LIVERMORE FALLS — A local man escaped injury when the car he was driving was struck by a train at the crossing near the Bank Building on Saturday morning, police Chief Ernest L. Steward Sr. said.

Manuel Rodriguez, 35, of Livermore Falls told Sgt. Vernon Stevens that he did not see the train signal lights blinking, Steward said.

The train signal lights were tested and were found to be operational, he said.

Rodriguez’s 2000 Mazda was heading north toward Jay at about 10:50 a.m. and was on the tracks when Rodriguez heard the train whistle, he said. The train was heading out of town toward Foundry Road.

He put the car in reverse and attempted to back off the tracks but the train struck the front bumper, Steward said.

There was no damage to the Pan Am Railways train and minor damage to the car, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com