Around 1:30 p.m., the Dunkirk Police Department, Dunkirk Fire Department, and Alstar Ambulance responded to a report of a pickup struck by a train at the Middle Road and the CSX railroad crossing. The operator of the vehicle was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital, where the victim later succumbed to the injuries.

The incident remains under investigation by the Dunkirk Police Department in coordination with CSX Railroad officials. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted as well.

The incident occurred during heavy winds with whiteout conditions as travel advisories were in place in Dunkirk and in the surrounding communities.

At the scene, the railroad gates at the crossing were seen not going all the way down after the incident occurred. There appeared to be slight debris in the crossing, but no vehicle was visible on the tracks from the crossing.

Dunkirk Fire and Police Departments were at the scene of the motor vehicle and train accident in Dunkirk around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

During that same time, the New York State Thruway was a mess from the Silver Creek to Westfield exits with three reported accidents due to whiteout and hazardous conditions. At least two individuals were taken to Brooks-TLC Hospital in Dunkirk with injuries.

These accidents have forced the closure of the westbound lanes. The accidents included:

— One eastbound before the Dunkirk exit.

— Westbound at milepost 468.9 between exit 59 and exit 60. This is just past the Dunkirk-Fredonia exit. Scanner reports indicated a multi-car and semi tractor-trailer involved. Whiteout conditions reported.

— Another was halfway between the Dunkirk and Silver Creek exit westbound.

Thruway State Police issued a statement regarding the incidents. “All lanes are blocked westbound between Exit 59 and Exit 60, with additional lane closures in the area due to several nearby accidents involving multiple jackknifed tractor trailers and passenger vehicles,” they reported around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. “State Police, fire and EMS are on scene. Traffic diversions are established at Exits 57, 58 and 59.”

Travel advisories remained in effect until 6 this evening in the north county as part of a winter storm warning as high winds and blinding snows continued to pummel the region for two days.

Those elements, as well as extremely cold conditions, led to the closing of area schools Tuesday. Bitterly cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero were reported by the National Weather Service, which was a “potentially hazardous situation to be outdoors.” Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 15 below zero or colder.

AAA said in a news release, it was preparing for the possibility of a high call volume due to the inclement weather and battery issues as temperatures drop. “In weather like this, preparation is everything,” said Dan Fisher, dispatch manager at AAA Western and Central NewYork. “Before you head out, check the weather forecast along your route, make sure you have a full tank, emergency supplies, and a charged phone. If visibility drops, don’t try to push through. Pull over safely and wait it out.”

Highest wind gusts, as noted by the National Weather Service from Monday, included: Fredonia, 59 mph, 4 p.m.; Dunkirk airport, 56 mph, 2:33 p.m.; Forestville, 45 mph, 3:39 p.m.; Jamestown, 44 mph, 2:10 p.m.

Snow totals were not impressive, even though the high winds contributed to large snow drifts. As of Tuesday morning, spotters with the Weather Service reported these 24-hour totals: Perrysburg, 7 inches; Dunkirk, 4.4; Cassadaga, 4; Fredonia, 3.7; Mayville, 3; Dewittville and Falconer, 1; Bemus Point and Jamestown, both with under a half inch.

Greater accumulations were reported in southern Erie County with 25.7 inches in Eden with more than a foot of snow in the Orchard Park and Hamburg areas.

Editor John D’Agostino and reporter Braden Carmen contributed to this report.