The crash was caused after a westbound stop signal was blown out by strong winds, causing the westbound train to fail to stop, and collide with an eastbound train.

5 was travelling down a hill just outside East Paris, Michigan at around 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), and approached a signal.

Shortly after, the two trains collided into each other on a long, sweeping curve, causing them to overturn.

[3] Immediately after the crash, local farmers who had witnessed the two engines approaching each other assisted in removing casualties from the wreck.

They found that staff at nearby McCords station had been aware there would be an accident 10 minutes in advance, after realising the signal was not showing up.