At least 15 people are injured after a Brightline train collided with a fire truck in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday morning, according to reports.
The train slammed into a Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck near the intersection of East Atlantic Avenue and SE 1st Avenue in Delray Beach at around 10.45am.
A witness of the accident told BocaNewsNow.com that the fire truck driver drove the vehicle around the lowered railroad crossing gates - seemingly assuming that a freight train, which had just passed through the intersection, was the only train in the area.
The train was heading toward the fire truck, which was reportedly en-route to a call, from the opposite direction just before the collision.
Three firefighters and 12 train passengers are among those who are injured.
According to Matt Saraceni, Sergeant of the Delray Beach Police Traffic Homicide Unit, three Delray Beach firefighters have been hospitalized with injuries but are all in stable condition, Fox 29 News reported.
Two of the firefighters were initially listed in critical condition, but their status has since been updated to stable, ABC News reported.The 12 injured train passengers were also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
At least 12 people are injured after a Brightline train collided with a fire truck in West Palm Beach, Florida, early Saturday afternoon
A witness of the collision said the fire truck driver drove the truck around the lowered railroad crossing gates - unaware that there was a train coming from the opposite direction on the tracks
Among the dozen injured were multiple firefighters, who were reportedly on call at the time of the accident
There have been no reported fatalities.
The Delray Beach Police responded to the scene and were continuing search and rescue operations as of 11:44 am.
The accident prompted an emergency response and closed roads in Delray Beach.
Authorities anticipate that the roadway will reopen once the investigation and any necessary cleanup are complete.
Photos and videos shared to X show the nose of the train completely destroyed, debris chaotically scattered around the tracks and surrounding areas and the crushed fire engine on its side.
Scenes on the train captured by distressed passengers show some of the windows shattered.
An active investigation into the cause of the collision is currently underway by the Delray Beach Police Department, officials from Brightline, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Authorities are also looking into whether the railroad crossing gates were working properly during the time of the accident, ABC News reported.
Photos and videos shared to X show the nose of the train completely destroyed, debris chaotically scattered around the tracks and surrounding areas and the crushed fire engine on its side
Saturday afternoon's terrifying accident comes just a week after a train crashed into a tractor-trailer stranded on a crossing in Texas - leaving two people dead and three others injured
Video footage captured a freight train, travelling at speed, seconds before it ploughed into the truck, sending debris flying into the air in multiple directions
But as of now, they have not confirmed details surrounding the specific cause of the collision.
The terrifying accident comes just a week after a train crashed into a tractor-trailer stranded on a crossing in Texas - leaving two people dead and three others injured.
Shocking video footage showed the tractor-trailer on a level crossing seemingly unable to move.
A freight train, travelling at speed, then ploughed into the truck, sending debris flying into the air in multiple directions.
Sadly, two employees from Union Pacific - rail freight transportation company - were killed in the crash that occurred at around 5pm on last Wednesday in the west Texan city of Pecos.
Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the other injuries were minor.
Although hazardous materials were being carried aboard the train, none were released in the derailment, city officials said. The hazardous materials included lithium ion batteries and air bags.
Leaked diesel fuel was contained, officials said.
