15 injured when Amtrak train bound for SLO collides with truck
Fifteen people were injured, one seriously, on Wednesday when an Amtrak passenger train collided with a work truck in Moorpark, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
The northbound Coast Starlight was en route from Los Angeles to Seattle, with a scheduled stop in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, when it struck a water truck that was attempting to cross the tracks at an uncontrolled grade-level location.
Three of the seven cars in the train derailed but remained upright, fire officials said.
More than 200 people were reportedly aboard the train at the time of the collision.
The most serious injury reportedly involved the truck driver, who was taken to a local trauma center. His name and details on his condition were not available.
The other 14 victims sustained minor injuries.
In all, two locomotives, three sleeper cars, two coaches, and a dinner car, lounge car and baggage car were damaged in the incident, which occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on the 11000 block of Los Angeles Avenue, also known as Highway 118.
“All trains have been searched with all occupants out and no passengers requiring extrication,” fire officials said in a tweet.
A small fire in one of the rail cars was extinguished by firefighters when they arrived to the scene.
The Coast Starlight departed Union Station in Los Angeles at about 10 a.m., and was scheduled to stop in San Luis Obispo at 2:52 p.m. on its way to the Pacific Northwest, according to Amtrak.
However, following the crash, the remainder of the train’s schedule was canceled.
In addition, Wednesday’s southbound Coast Starlight was expected to terminate in Emeryville in the Bay Area, according to Amtrak.
A reunification point has been set at 799 Moorpark Ave. for loved ones to reunite with passengers involved in this incident, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
“Please stay clear of the area if you are not there to reunite with a family member,” sheriff’s officials said in a tweet. “Expect major traffic delays throughout the city.”
Safety personnel from the Federal Railroad Administration were en route to the scene to assist in the investigation.
