Antioch Amtrak Train Crash Leaves Dozens Hospitalized
ANTIOCH (CBS SF) -- Almost 40 people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries after an Amtrak train crashed into a semi-trailer truck in Contra Costa County Friday evening, an Amtrak spokeswoman said.
The San Joaquin line train left Oakland at 5:50 p.m. and was headed to Bakersfield, spokeswoman Vernae Graham said.
The train struck the truck around 7:30 p.m. near Discovery Bay at Bixler and Orwood roads, California Highway Patrol Officer Ralph Caggiano said.
It appears the truck was trying to cross the tracks, but did not clear the distance in time. The driver and a passenger in the big-rig suffered minor injuries, Caggiano said.
Thirty-seven passengers and two crewmembers were taken to three area hospitals. Everyone as of this morning had been released.
There were 204 passengers aboard the train, Graham said.
The train did not derail after the collision with the truck and its trailer carrying corn. Corn did spill but was cleared from the tracks and passengers were able to continue with their travels. Passengers who decided to go on departed for Bakersfield at 1:10 a.m. Saturday morning. They were expected to arrive at their destination by 7 a.m., Graham said.
The crash is under investigation.
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