By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-28 19:11:10 | Updated at 2024-12-29 10:37:25
15 hours ago
At least 12 people are injured after a Brightline train collided with a fire truck in West Palm Beach, Florida, early Saturday afternoon.
The train slammed into a Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck near the intersection of East Atlantic Avenue and SE 1st Avenue in Delray Beach.
A witness of the accident told BocaNewsNow.com that it appeared as though the fire truck driver drove the truck around the lowered railroad crossing gates - seemingly assuming that a freight train, which had just passed through the intersection, was the only train in the area.
The train was heading toward the fire truck, which was reportedly on call, from the opposite direction just before the collision.
At least three people were reported to have sustained critical injuries to the point of needing trauma care.
Among the dozen injured were multiple firefighters, according to The Global Beacon.
The Delray Beach Police responded to the scene and were continuing search and rescue operations as of 11.44am.
The accident has prompted emergency response and closed roads in Delray Beach.
At least 12 people are injured after a Brightline train collided with a fire truck in West Palm Beach, Florida, early Saturday afternoon
A witness of the collision said that it appeared as though the fire truck driver drove the truck around the lowered railroad crossing gates - unaware that there was a train coming from the opposite direction on the tracks
Photos and videos shared to X show the nose of the train completely destroyed, debris chaotically scattered around the tracks and surrounding areas and the crushed fire engine on its side.
Scenes on the train captured by distressed passengers show some of the windows shattered.
The terrifying accident comes just a week after a train crashed into a tractor-trailer stranded on a crossing in Texas - leaving two people dead and three others injured.
Shocking video footage showed the tractor-trailer on a level crossing seemingly unable to move.
A freight train, travelling at speed, then ploughed into the truck, sending debris flying into the air in multiple directions.
Sadly, two employees from Union Pacific - rail freight transportation company - were killed in the crash that occurred at around 5pm on last Wednesday in the west Texan city of Pecos.
Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the other injuries were minor.
Although hazardous materials were being carried aboard the train, none were released in the derailment, city officials said. The hazardous materials included lithium ion batteries and air bags.
Leaked diesel fuel was contained, officials said.
