When Big Rigs And Trains Collide
Posted on October 2, 2012 Written By: iadminlaw
The failure to obey the rules of the road could have potentially far-reaching consequences. Two such devastating examples occurred yesterday.
Nearly 40 passengers suffered minor to moderate injuries Monday afternoon when a big rig collided with a southbound Amtrak train in Kings County near Hanford.
English: An Amtrak train on the NEC in NJ, as seen from an NJ transit train. c 2005 joseph barillari (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The crash occurred at 12:22 p.m. when the driver of a big rig that was carrying cotton trash failed to yield and hit the train, pushing at least one passenger car off the tracks south of Hanford. The train had just left the Hanford station when it collided with the truck.
While the truck remained on its side at the railroad crossing on Kansas Avenue near 10th Avenue, the train didn’t come to a complete stop until more than an estimated half-mile down the tracks.
Nine of the injured passengers were taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia and hospital officials said they were expecting another four to arrive later in the evening. Tulare Regional Medical Center in Tulare said it received an additional 10 passengers for medical evaluation and another six of the injured passengers were taken to Adventist Medical Center in Hanford. She did not provide details on the extent of their injuries.
The train carrying about 169 passengers and four crew members was on its way from Oakland to Bakersfield, according to Amtrak. It had four rail cars and a locomotive.
Pierce said that the truck driver, whose name was not released, suffered moderate injuries. The CHP said it’s investigating the crash.
Responding to the collision were the Hanford Police Department, Kings County Sheriff’s Department, CHP, Kings County Probation Department, Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Hanford City Fire Department, Kings County Fire Department and American Ambulance. Pierce said that more than 50 personnel were on hand to help with passengers.
Pierce said the other passengers were taken by bus to the Hanford Civic Auditorium, where they will board a train and continue to their destinations or family members will pick them up. The American Red Cross provided water, snacks and mental health support to the uninjured passengers.
Not more than four hours later, a second train collision was reported in Kings County just north of Hanford.
A freight train collided with a big rig on Granville Road and Second Street at 3:55 p.m. The crash didn’t block any roadways but the driver of the truck reported serious injuries, a severe head laceration, and he was transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, according to the CHP.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a train accident that was caused by negligence or some other form of reckless behavior, it is important that you contact a committed and dedicated personal injury lawyer to help you decide if you should file a lawsuit. A competent and reputable injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
