Amtrak Train Strikes Vehicle Stuck at Crossing
Posted/updated on: August 20, 2018 at 1:17 pm
HALLSVILLE — No serious injuries were reported when a truck stalled on the tracks near Hallsville was struck Saturday by Amtrak’s westbound Texas Eagle. According to the Longview News-Journal and our news partner KETK, a truck being towed stopped on the tracks at Stephens Road east of Hallsville when a towing strap broke, said Lt. Jay Webb of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The Amtrak crew saw the vehicle but was unable to stop the train, which was traveling about 60 mph, in time to avoid collision. No one was in the truck and no injuries were reported on the train as a result of the incident, though three passengers were treated for heat exhaustion in the aftermath.
The collision destroyed the truck and started a small fire that damaged the Amtrak locomotive.
Amtrak passengers on the route from Chicago to Los Angeles were being taken by bus to Marshall and were then to be bused to Longview, Terrell and Dallas. Amtrak said in a statement there were about 145 passengers and crew on board at the time.
“This is a critical reminder that it takes a full mile for a train to stop and about the importance of exercising caution around railroad tracks and crossings,” Amtrak said in its statement.
