VIDEO: Close call for WCPSS school bus at railroad crossing

CARY (WTVD) -- A bus driver was not at fault when a railroad crossing gate landed on top of their loaded school bus as a CSX train crossed closely in front, said Wake County Public School System administrators Wednesday.

The incident happened Tuesday morning on Davis Drive near Collins Road in Cary.

A 7th grader on board the bus captured cell phone video of the moment the train crossed in front of the school bus which was bound for Davis Drive Middle School.

A similar incident happened at the same railroad crossing in February. Only back then, the bus driver was removed from her route.

On Wednesday afternoon, after receiving parents' complaints, Rick Williams, Davis Drive Middle School's principal, released the following letter explaining the driver did just as they're trained to do:

ABC11 checked with CSX, which said its equipment is working properly at the location where the incident occurred.

Rob Doolittle, CSX spokesperson, shared the following statement:

"At CSX, our top priority is the safety of our employees and the communities where we operate. To that end, we spend considerable time and resources informing drivers, pedestrians, schools and community organizations about how to safely cross railroad tracks. It's imperative for drivers to obey all warning signals and stop at the designated roadway markings for their own safety.

To ensure crossing warning signals are working properly, CSX performs maintenance and testing on the signals at each crossing at least every 30 days in accordance with federal regulations. We also post a toll free number at every grade crossing for the public to report malfunctions or emergencies. No matter what type of warning signal is in place at a crossing, drivers and pedestrians should always look both ways and listen for a train before crossing the tracks, and never stop on the tracks."