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California train derails after collision with truck California train derails after collision with truck
(about 4 hours later)
A commuter train and a truck have collided, causing three carriages to derail northwest of Los Angeles. A commuter train and a truck have collided, causing four carriages to derail northwest of Los Angeles.
The vehicle became engulfed in flames and at least 28 people have been injured, a fire department spokesman told the BBC.The vehicle became engulfed in flames and at least 28 people have been injured, a fire department spokesman told the BBC.
Police in Oxnard, California, say the crash was first reported at 05:44 local time (13:44 GMT).Police in Oxnard, California, say the crash was first reported at 05:44 local time (13:44 GMT).
A helicopter from a local television station showed emergency responders treating multiple people. The collision happened at a level crossing as the truck turned on to the tracks and stopped, officials said.
A spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department told the BBC that it is believed no one had died in the accident. "I saw a bright flash, a big fireball and flames, flames going pretty high," said Glenn Frisbie, who was driving to work and sitting at an intersection about a block away from the incident.
Captain Mike Lindbery said the train was carrying 51 passengers, and 28 of those were transported to several local hospitals. Metrolink spokesman Scott Johnson estimated the train struck the truck at a speed between 40 mph (64 kmh) to 50 mph.
The driver of the truck that collided with the train fled the scene, and was "taken into custody south of the scene less than a mile," Capt Lindbery said. Officials say that no one has died, but 13 people remained in emergency rooms Tuesday afternoon for treatment.
Captain Mike Lindbery told the BBC the train was carrying 51 passengers, and 28 of those were transported to several local hospitals.
Upon arriving at the scene, emergency responders determined that the truck - which was on fire - was unoccupied.
Shortly afterward, a police officer spotted "what he believed to be a disoriented male" that is now believed to be the driver of the truck, officials said.
His name has not been released, but officials have identified him as a 54-year-old truck driver from Arizona. He is said to be cooperating with the investigation and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
An investigator told the Associated Press news agency that the driver made a premature right turn at a level crossing, and the vehicle became stuck on the tracks.
The locomotive had a camera on the lead carriage, footage from which will be used in the investigation.The locomotive had a camera on the lead carriage, footage from which will be used in the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the agency that leads transport investigations for the US government, said in a tweet, "NTSB launching team to rail accident in Oxnard, CA. More details to come." The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the agency that leads transport investigations for the US government, said it was sending a "go-team" to the scene.
Aerial footage from the scene shows multiple emergency vehicles at the scene, with several fire fighters and paramedics moving people into ambulances. NTSB spokesman Robert Sumwalt said: "We are very concerned about grade [level] crossings and we intend to use this accident and others to learn from it, so that we can keep it from happening again."
One carriage can be seen overturned and laying partially in a nearby highway. Two others were overturned laying parallel to each other, and a fourth remains upright. He said investigators would be looking into whether the automatic "arms" that act as a barrier to traffic functioned properly, amongst other factors. They will look at data from sensors at the crossing and from the train.
In a nearby intersection, the burnt-out shell of a truck can be seen with remnants of fire extinguishing foam. He noted that over 2,000 level crossing accidents occur in the US each year, of those approximately 250 are fatal.
Mr Johnson said initial reports from the scene indicated the arms and lights were working.
The train was destined for Los Angeles, and crashed about 65 miles (100 kilometres) away from its destination.The train was destined for Los Angeles, and crashed about 65 miles (100 kilometres) away from its destination.
A Metrolink train collided with a freight train in 2008 in another part of southern California, killing 25 people and injuring more.A Metrolink train collided with a freight train in 2008 in another part of southern California, killing 25 people and injuring more.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the collision? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the area? Did you witness the collision? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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