Train Crashes Into Truck in Florida; 70 Hurt
INTERCESSION CITY, Fla. — An Amtrak passenger train smashed into a stalled tractor-trailer Tuesday as frantic state troopers tried to flag it down. About 70 people were injured.
The oversized truck carrying a 150-ton generator got stuck at a crossing several minutes before the collision, said Chris Gent, a spokesman for the Kissimmee Utility Authority, which owns the generator.
A train dispatcher was notified about the stalled truck and told utility officials the train was not due at the crossing until 1 p.m., said Gent, who witnessed the accident.
CSX Transportation, which owns the track, says it did not receive any phone call prior to the accident. The train struck the truck at 12:45 p.m.
Four of the eight cars on the Tampa-to-New York Silver Meteor derailed. The first sleeping car overturned when it jumped the tracks. Rescue workers had to pry off some windows to rescue trapped passengers.
The train was carrying 103 passengers and eight crew members.
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