A driver escaped serious injury — or worse — after her car was struck by a train in Oregon City Friday morning. It was the most dramatic incident in what has so far been a relatively quiet event, as Canby and the surrounding areas bunker down amid historically cold temperatures and an onslaught of winter weather.
Clackamas Fire responded to the incident of a driver reportedly stuck on the railroad tracks near 10th Street in downtown Oregon City at approximately 8 a.m. The driver had attempted to make it up the hill but had slid back down and gotten stuck.
Fortunately, she heard the oncoming train and was able to get out of the car before it was struck, Clackas Fire officials reported.
“Clackamas Fire would like to remind you to be very careful if you must go out in this weather,” the district said in a Facebook post. “Be prepared, look out for, and take care of those around you.”
Canby residents and business owners reported that sidewalks and streets alike were coated in a slick sheet of ice, with many businesses choosing to remain closed or alter their hours in an effort to keep workers and customers safe and at home.
Temperatures hovered around the mid-20s as of noon Friday, and photos and videos of Canbyites ice skating on local residential streets showed residents were trying to make the most of the unexpected — and not entirely welcome — early Christmas present from Mother Nature.
@KGWNews @KGWSunrise Great day for a skate in Canby, Oregon!! pic.twitter.com/lv0wkfjnV9
— CallMeRay3 (@CallMeRay3) December 23, 2022
“We always thought an ice skating rink would be a fun addition to the Winter Fair and Holiday Market,” the Clackamas County Fairgrounds and Event Center said on Facebook, accompanying a photo of its front office parking lot and Northeast 4th Street buried in ice. “This isn’t what we imagined.”
The fairgrounds had canceled its penultimate night of the Winter Fair Thursday due to weather and wasted no time in doing the same Friday morning, saying those who had purchased tickets for either night would receive full refunds.
“We are sad to announce that the Friday, December 23, Winter Fair and Holiday Market is canceled again tonight,” fairgrounds officials said. “Our team worked hard for the last three months to build a magical event and we did just that.”
While conditions were treacherous, Canby Fire District and emergency officials were pleased to report few issues Friday morning. Canby Fire Chief Jim Davis told the Current that its fleet had been outfitted with chains and socks and were continuing to respond to medical calls as normal.
One medical unit was challenged getting into and out of the Village on the Lochs neighborhood in south Canby due to the steep grade of the road, Davis said.
Canby Public Works was sanding that road and other problem areas, while Clackamas County and state crews were applying sand and deicer to major arterials, including Highway 99E and 213, which was closed to traffic for a time on Friday.
“Medic units are going to be delayed because of the ice, but if you have an emergency, call 9-1-1,” Davis said. “We appreciate people staying in their homes. We are not seeing a lot of cars on the road, which is a good thing. We do ask that you continue to stay in if at all possible.”
Overnight and daytime warming centers are open in Canby and throughout Clackamas County. For more information, see our website and clackamas.us/relief.
