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Several Killed In Amtrak Crash Near Reno

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Reporting CBS Sacramento Staff

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RENO, Nev. (CBS13) – A Sacramento-bound Amtrak train collided with a big rig on a rural Nevada highway Friday morning, killing several people, authorities said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said a number injuries were reported after a semi tractor-trailer vehicle hauling gravel drove into the side of the westbound California Zephyr train at about 11:20 a.m. about 70 miles east of Reno.

Cell phone video provided to CNN showed at least two of the train cars being engulfed in flames as passengers and crew scrambled to clear away from the scene. The driver of the big rig and several passengers on board the train were killed in the incident, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

The Nevada Highway Patrol said in a press conference that five or six people have been confirmed dead in the accident.

A number of other passengers were transported to local hospitals. The severity of their injuries has not been released.

 Several Killed In Amtrak Crash Near Reno

A photo provided by KTVN-TV shows smoke and flames billowing from the Amtrak train on Friday, June 24, 2011.

In a statement, Amtrak officials said there were 204 passengers and 14 crew members aboard the train at the time of the collision.

“We are saddened by any injury and appreciate the emergency response by local and state agencies,” the statement added.

Amtrak and Union Pacific representatives are heading to the scene to assist in the investigation.

Anyone with questions about friends or family who were aboard the train can call (800) 523-9101.

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  • DHS

    Makes me wonder if this has anything to do terrorism, et. al Queda, given the recent recovery of the bin Laden trusted courier’s cell phone and also the fact that the semi drove into the train? DHS indicated after the raid on the Pakistan compound that killed bin Laden based on intel they gathered in the compound and collaterally that they (al Queda) had big plans in place to target rail systems.

  • An American

    I’m not going to out right say that it was terrorism, but it’s not going to be out of my mind. Al Queda did say that though.

  • jinky

    Curious that the truck driver’s identity has not yet been released. One report stated he was from a small eastern Nevada county.

  • jinky

    Sometimes the information that’s left out tells the reader as much or more than the information in the article.

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