Georgia State Patrol Public Information Officer Gordy Wright said Danny and Linda Long were the occupants of an SUV travelling north on Ga. Highway 81 near The Depot early Saturday afternoon when they were hit by a westbound train.

According to Covington Police Capt. Ken Malcom both are in their 60's and were transported by air to Grady Hospital due to significant injuries. Wright said they were downgraded from critical to serious condition over the weekend. A Grady media relations spokesperson said the hospital was no longer releasing patient information due to budget constraints.

Malcom said that witness statements taken during the initial investigation indicated that the SUV went around the lowered crossing bars before the train struck the vehicle.

The vehicle came to rest about 50 yards away from the point of impact.

The train that struck the vehicle stopped at the scene of the collision. Traffic was diverted around Emory and West streets for most of Saturday as Georgia State Patrol conducted a thorough investigation.

Over the holiday weekend, GSP reported three DUI arrests and four car accidents in Newton County. According to Covington Police Detective Daniel Seals, there were three DUIs in the city as well.