Amboy, Nebraska — A quiet rural morning turned tragic Thursday when a 24-year-old Kenesaw volunteer firefighter lost his life after the hay grinder he was operating collided head-on with a stationary freight train. The crash happened just after 9:30 a.m. on Highway 136 near Amboy, about four miles east of Red Cloud.
Emergency crews were called to the scene where the wreckage of the hay grinder lay twisted against the freight cars. Nebraska law enforcement and railroad officials confirmed the driver, Andrew Katzberg, was pronounced dead at the site of the collision. Katzberg had been well-known in his small town as a dedicated first responder and a familiar face at community events.
The impact of the collision caused roughly ten railcars on the unloaded BNSF train to derail, forcing crews to work carefully to secure the area. Despite the damage, authorities confirmed that none of the train crew were injured in the incident.
Highway 136 was shut between Red Cloud and Guide Rock after the crash to allow emergency and cleanup crews to work. It remained closed for several hours and was reopened early Friday morning once crews cleared debris and ensured the safety of motorists traveling the route.
Officials from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into how the hay grinder came to strike the train is ongoing. The sheriff’s office is working alongside the Nebraska State Patrol, the Department of Transportation and BNSF personnel to determine what factors led up to the fatal collision.
Katzberg’s passing has sent a wave of sorrow through Kenesaw and surrounding communities. Friends remember him for his steady commitment to service, his easy smile and the willingness he showed to help whenever duty called. Local fire departments held a moment of silence in his honor, reflecting on a young life cut short while surrounded by work he cared about deeply.
In the days since the crash, residents have talked about how the loss of Katzberg has brought neighbors closer, and how his absence will be deeply felt in gatherings and firehouse halls across the region.
