Passengers Shaken By Deadly Amtrak Crash

RENO, Nev. (CBS13) -- Passengers who were able to walk away from a deadly train crash that claimed the lives of at least five people Friday said they are shaken up but happy to be alive.

Placerville residents Linda and Clayton Cook were returning home from their daughter's graduation in Utah when a gravel-hauling big rig slammed into the side of the Chicago-to-Emeryville train at about 11:20 a.m. near a rural Nevada highway about 70 miles east of Reno.

The Cooks said they were two cars behind the point of impact and had no warning before the entire train shook.

"I was reading a book, and then all of a sudden, boom," Linda said. "I remember having my heart feel like it was up in my throat, because we didn't know if it was the end or what."

Clayton Cook said flames erupted along the impacted side of the train immediately, and when the couple evacuated the train, they received a close-up look of the aftermath of the violent wreck.

"I guess the cab of the truck [was] impaled on the side of the train," Clayton said. "Sort of like when a bug splats up against the window."

The cab of the semi tractor-trailer rig was utterly destroyed on impact, killing the driver, authorities said. At least four occupants on board the train have been confirmed dead in the accident, including an engineer, and another 20 people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Reports from different agencies provided conflicting casualty reports throughout the day, and it is not clear whether authorities are still searching the wreckage for additional victims.

Amtrak and Union Pacific representatives traveled to the scene Friday to assist in the accident aftermath, and the National Transportation Safety Board said they were sending a team to investigate.

Officials have not speculated why the vehicle did not stop before hitting the train. Some passengers who saw the crash unfold said it looked like the driver didn't see the flashing train signal and lowered guard rail until it was too late.

Amtrak sent buses from Sacramento to help transport passengers to the end of their route, but passengers were not expected to arrive in Northern California until late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Passengers waiting for train service in Reno were told they'd have to go back to their departure cities or wait for several days for train service to resume.

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