Amtrak Train From Chicago Collides With Truck In Nev.; At Least 2 Dead
RENO, Nev. (AP) – A long-distance train originating in Chicago collided with a semi-truck in Nevada, killing at least two people.
The truck driver and one person on the train were killed in the 11:25 a.m. accident on U.S. 95 about 70 miles east of Reno, said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Dan Lopez.
An unknown number of other people on the train were injured and were being taken by ambulances to the hospital, he said.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari in Oakland, Calif., said most of the injuries were not life threatening but he had no other immediate details about injuries. He said 204 passengers and 14 crew members were aboard the California Zephyr en route from Chicago to Emeryville, Calif., about 300 miles west of the crash site.
"A large vehicle struck the side of the train," Magliari said. "Emergency responders are at the scene and Amtrak managers are en route. That's all we know at this point."
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Marianne Tidwell of Chicago says her daughter Dionne Green was lead service attendant aboard the train. Her daughter survived the crash.
Amtrak passenger Jim Bickley told Sacramento, Calif., television station KXTV that the semi hit the fourth car on the train and two of the cars were on fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident, which shut down a section of U.S. 95 between Interstate 80 and Fallon, Nev.
Amtrak says persons with questions about their friends and family aboard the train may call (800) 523-9101.
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