MOSCOW, March 10 (Sputnik) – The newspaper cites Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp as saying that the collision, which took place at 6:50 p. m. local time (22:50 GMT) on Monday, did not lead to any life-threatening injuries. All of the injured have been taken to regional hospitals for treatment, The Daily Herald reports.
MORE PHOTOS: From the scene of the train derailment in #Halifax Co. Latest info>>>http://t.co/DjHqN3iviG #wral pic.twitter.com/IxfBM9Tk1B
— WRAL NEWS in NC (@WRAL) March 9, 2015
The truck, which was transporting a heavy piece of equipment, was attempting to drive off the railway tracks onto the road in the town of Halifax when it was hit by a train. As a result of the collision, the engine toppled on its side and the train’s first two cars derailed, Tripp explained.
DEVELOPING: Amtrak train derailment in Halifax Co., NC. — [@MajorNews911] pic.twitter.com/crAuRYfN2E
— BREAKING NEWS (@JohnMir12) March 9, 2015
The truck, which was hit by the train, was transporting a heavy piece of equipment. It was attempting to drive off the railway tracks onto the road in the town of Halifax when it was hit by the train. As a result of the collision, the engine toppled on its side and the train’s first two cars derailed, according to Tripp.
There were 221 people in the train at the time of the crash, according to The Daily Herald. The train, operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), which is a publicly funded railroad service in the United States, was heading for New York City from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Halifax Co Amtrak train derailment caught oncell phone video. http://t.co/khE4MipMxf
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) March 9, 2015
According to NBC, which cites Transportation Department spokesman Mike Charbonneau, the passengers who were not injured in the collision have been taken to Richmond, Virginia, where they could board another train.
Part of the tractor trailer in the Halifax, NC train derailment. #breaking pic.twitter.com/Shop7R4pho
— Ashley Monfort (@AshleyMonfort) March 9, 2015
A similar train crash killed six people in the US state of New York in February, when a commuter train carrying about 650 passengers struck a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Thank you to Amber Keeter from Halifax Co.,for sending us these pics of the train derailment in #Halifax Co. #wral pic.twitter.com/lzglMmSn96
— WRAL NEWS in NC (@WRAL) March 9, 2015
About 2,000 collisions take place annually at rail-grade crossings in the United States, according to the awareness group Operation Lifesaver that works to change people’s behavior around railroad tracks and crossings.
