An Amtrak train hit a tractor-trailer on Monday, March 9, while traveling from Charlotte, North Carolina to New York. The incident happened on the tracks at U.S. Highway 301 and NC Highway 903 in Halifax. The train conductor and 54 passengers were injured from the crash.
It was the third time that a serious train crash had occurred within a period of almost two months. In February, at least two fatal crashes had been reported in California and New York, which left seven people dead and 30 more injured.
The injured from the latest incident were brought to Nash General Hospital and Halifax Memorial Hospital. Most of them appeared to be in positive stable condition. There was one patient in serious condition who had to be flown to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.
"We are relieved that there are no fatalities reported at this time, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured," said Tony Tata, N.C. Transportation Secretary.
The tractor-trailer that was involved in the incident was said to be stuck on the tracks as it attempted to make a tricky left turn. The trailer was carrying a modular building that was wrapped in blue plastic.
Lt. Jeff Gordon, a spokesman for the N.C. State Highway Patrol, said that the trailer was also jammed with electrical equipment.
One of the troopers who was escorting the trailer as it went from Clayton, North Carolina to the Virginia border said that he tried to help the driver make a difficult left turn. However, the 164-foot tractor-trailer, which was even longer than a half-sized football field, had difficulty in navigating the tracks.
The attempt to make the turn lasted for around five minutes. During that period, the tractor-trailer tried to back up several times as the driver tried to make a left turn. However, the trailer couldn't back off the tracks since traffic had also built up behind it.
Leslie Cipriani, an eyewitness to the incident, heard the sound of an arriving train and even saw how the crossing arms on the tracks hit the tractor-trailer.
"I saw him jump out of the truck when he knew he couldn't beat it," said Cipriani.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was later on identified as John Devin Black of Claremont, N.C. He was safe from the incident.
The unhurt passengers of the train were brought to Richmond on a bus where they boarded a different train and continued with their journey.
The investigation on the incident is still ongoing. There was no indication that criminal charges will be filed.
