Fallen Tree Derails Train in California, At Least 14 Injured
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The front car of a commuter train plunged into a swollen creek after a fallen tree reportedly derailed the train Monday night in Central California, injuring 14 people, authorities said.
Crews had to fight the creek's fast-moving currents to pull riders from the partially submerged rail car, Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said, the Associated Press reported.
"It was dark, wet, it was raining. It was very chaotic," Kelly said. "This is an absolute miracle that no one was killed, no passengers or first responders."
Four people were seriously hurt, while 10 others had minor injuries, Kelly said.
The Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) No. 10 commuter train was traveling from San Jose to Stockton when the first two cars went off the tracks near Niles Canyon Road in Sunol, a rural area of Alameda County about 45 miles east of San Francisco.
Altamont Corridor Express train official Steve Walker said the first car was carrying six passengers and one crew member when it fell into Alameda Creek.
Walker said the second car behind it also derailed but remained upright.
He said three more cars behind, including the locomotive, stayed on the tracks.
Passengers described a harrowing scene of panic and confusion.
Rak Akhter said he was in the front car that fell into Alameda Creek and saw a woman lying in mud just under a train car hanging off the tracks.
Passengers were evacuated and checked by paramedics. The uninjured riders were transported to the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, the department said.
Altamont Corridor Express said it sent buses to take passengers to their destinations. The company also said it was cancelling all train service on the line Tuesday.
The ACE No. 10 train, which travels from Silicon Valley to Central California, stopping in eight cities along the way, was carrying 214 passengers, officials said.
