Local

Man says CSX train blocking U.S. 90 in Baldwin added 20 minutes to his ambulance ride

BALDWIN, Fla. — A local man said a stopped train delayed his trip to the emergency room.

It's the latest issue involving an Action News Jax investigation into stopped trains in Baldwin.

Scott Blanchett suffers from peripheral neuropathy, which causes him to have intense pain and tremors.

He recently suffered his first seizure and was picked up by an ambulance immediately.

“It was an emergency situation where they needed to get me there quick, so they could stabilize me,” Blanchett said.

However, a CSX train had blocked U.S. 90 and Blanchett’s ambulance on the way to the hospital.

"He couldn't make it out of Baldwin," Blanchett said. "There was a train stopped, so he had to go out and around through Baldwin, and then south on 301 to get onto the interstate instead of just getting past the train."

Blanchett said the detour added about 20 minutes to his ambulance ride.

In a statement, CSX told Action News Jax:

"CSX continues to make efforts to move rail traffic efficiently through the Baldwin area. There are times when a crossing may unavoidably be blocked as we serve the needs of local freight customers. We work to limit the impact of our operations to the extent possible, and continue to communicate with local officials about the conditions there."