An Amtrak train traveling from Charlotte to New York slammed into a tractor trailer stuck on the rail line in Halifax NC around noon on Monday, sending about 40 passengers to the hospital and causing multiple accidents.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation said that 212 people were aboard the train and that 15 passengers were taken to Halifax Memorial Hospital by ambulance and another 25 were taken by bus.
The DOT said 173 passengers were not injured and were being sent by bus to Richmond, Va.
A bystander managed to record video of the crash, in which a large truck with a blue tarp was on the track crossing as the train barreled along. It’s not clear why the large truck was on the tracks.
Sheriff Wes Tripp told the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald that the injuries were not life-threatening.
The train engine was knocked on its side.
According to Amtrak’s website, the northbound No. 80 Carolinian was headed to New York from Charlotte. The collision happened at N.C. 903 and U.S. 301.
Amtrak said on Twitter, “We’re responding to the incident in Halifax County, N.C., with train 80. There are reports of injuries.”
Charlotte Story, a student at the University of North Carolina who was in the seventh car, said many people in the car were jerked forward at impact. Story’s laptop was thrown across the aisle at impact.
“It was significant; several people hit their heads pretty hard on the seats in front of them,” Story said. “None of the suitcases came down from the overhead compartment but you definitely felt it. “
Story said she saw at least one person being taken out on a stretcher but most walked off to go to the hospital.
Copyright 2015 WNCN. All rights reserved.
