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Six Dead, 28 Unaccounted For After Nev. Amtrak Crash

Six Dead, 28 Unaccounted For After Nev. Amtrak Crash

In this photo provided by Ron Almgren. passengers and Amtrak train staff are seen at the site of a collision between an Amtrak westbound train and a truck on U.S. 95 about 4 miles south of Interstate 80 on Friday, June 24, 2011, 70 miles east of Reno, Nev. The truck driver and one person on the train were killed said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Dan Lopez. An unknown number of other people on the train were injured and were being taken by ambulances to the hospital. (AP Photo/Ron Almgren)

SPARKS, Nev. (AP) — Two truck drivers and a train engineer watched helplessly as a semitrailer slammed into an Amtrak passenger train at a Nevada highway crossing, skidding the length of a football field before it smashed through the warning gates and into a pair of double-decker cars.

The drivers were part of a three-truck convoy that saw the crossing gates come down and the warning lights go off as the California Zephyr approached, National Transportation Safety Board member Earl Weener said Saturday.

They stopped, but the driver of the big rig in the lead did not, he said. “They were waiting for it to come to a stop.”

The Churchill County Sheriff’s office said Saturday that six people had died in the crash late Friday morning. Authorities earlier said the truck’s driver was among the dead, and a transportation union confirmed that number included one of its members, the train’s conductor.

Weener said 28 people were unaccounted for, but that the figure was “spongy” because some passengers may have gotten off the train before the crash or walked away from the scene without checking with officials.

“This is not quite like you are used to when you get on an airplane. They record exactly who gets on, and what seat they sit in,” he said. “On a train, you can get off without necessarily being tracked.”

About 20 people were injured, and the United Transportation Union said on its website that the train’s assistant conductor was among those seriously hurt. Weener said a passenger manifest counted 210 on board, but Amtrak spokeswoman Christina Leeds said 204 passengers and 14 crew members were on the train at the time.

“We are going to be working in the next several days to get more of that (unaccounted) number down the best we can,” Weener said.

At the time of the collision, Weener said visibility was excellent and that the crossing gates and warning lights were working.

The train’s engineer saw the truck approaching the crossing about 70 miles east of Reno and realized the collision was inevitable, he said.

The engineer slammed on the emergency brakes, but the train, which was going about 78 mph in an 80-mph zone, traveled another half mile before it finally stopped, he said. The engineer watched the truck smash into two of the train’s 10 cars through the rearview mirror.

“He recalled the event clearly. He saw the truck approaching the train,” Weener said. “At some point, he knew the impact was imminent. He in fact watched the collision in a rearview mirror. He was hoping the train was not going to derail.”

NTSB investigators were returning to the crash site on Sunday, partly to search for additional possible victims, as well as to try to rectify discrepancies in the passenger manifest.

The California Zephyr from Chicago was about 300 miles east of its destination in Emeryville, Calif., when the truck hit the two train cars, which burst into flames. Earlier witness accounts said the truck driver did not attempt to stop before it drove through the crossing, but Weener said the driver did try to stop because the truck skidded about 320 feet before it crashed.

The speed of the truck hasn’t been determined, but Weener said it was going “at a considerable speed” because the impact left the tractor embedded in one of the train cars.

Weener said the truck driver who died was a Nevada man in his mid-40s. The UTU identified the dead conductor as Laurette Lee, 68, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Churchill County authorities said they were working to confirm victims’ identities and notify family members.

Weener said a team of 18 NTSB investigators were at the scene and expected to remain there for at least a week. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said they had not finished going through the wreckage yet, and Weener said they had yet to review video data taken from the train.

“We will not be determining a probable cause of this accident while we are here,” Weener said.

Comments (64)

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  • aLinedog
    Posted on June 27, 2011 at 2:50am

    Ok, folks. This is fracking ridiculous.
    @Zombie: jackass.
    @Akira: Non-thinking, self-righteous loudmouth.
    Not all truck drivers are idiots. I daresay most are not. I drove OTR a bit. Several years for the US Army hauling very expensive, Top Secret equipment. Never an accident. In less than 6 months -civilian- I had one car try to run ME over -he failed horribly, another hit me -I presume, never felt it- but then chased me down and claimed I “came off the Interstate, sideswiped her as she waited in a line of cars at the light, then (I guess I was scared I’d get caught?!?) ran the light they all waited at -missing traffic- and re-entered the interstate. Her damage? Paint scraped off by a bolt on my passenger door, and a wrinkle in her driver side. ((She ran up alongside me is my only guess, then saw dollar signs)). Lets not forget the man riding in my blindspot in the rain with my blinker going off in his face for over a mile ((Weigh station was coming up -hit the blinker when I saw the ‘weight station 1 mile ahead sign’))
    Point: I quit driving before some IDIOT 4-wheeler committed suicide under my truck. Good career thrown out because you morons can’t drive. You ‘drive’ as if it’s a mind-less act and ignore that you are often turning your vessel into an unguided missile.
    Odds are you do not drive on the interstate. You eat, drink, change the radio, play with your hair, talk on the phone. Etc. So shut your pie-hole.
    @anyone wanting to scream conspiracy. Shutup. T

    Report Post »  
    • aLinedog
      Posted on June 27, 2011 at 2:51am

      [Author's edit: addition to last, rewrite final sentence]
      @anyone wanting to scream conspiracy. Shutup. Think.
      -line

      Report Post »  
  • elvisroy0000
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 10:36pm

    elvisroy0000 this is a terrible tragedy and we should Prey for all involved. we nevar Know what is
    around the corner so let us keep in mind John 3:16 for God so loved the world he Gave his only beggoten son that whosoever believeth in him should not parish but have evarlasting life

    Report Post » elvisroy0000  
  • JQCitizen
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 10:19pm

    Snow:

    I too, have wondered about the name of the truck driver, and whether there could be a terrorist connection, though I’m sure that there could be other explanations. Drugs, or dosing off? But it seems odd that the driver of the truck has not yet been identified; – that would be understandable if it were a passenger who would be harder to identify, or even be sure was still on the train, but the driver’s family would already have been notified, since he was known to the other two drivers. Odd, indeed, to me.

    Report Post »  
  • Magyar
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 9:57pm

    Come on folks—the name of the driver will turn out to be either Al-muslim or Lopez –both here illegally no doubt! Why else don’t we have this information? MMMMMM?

    Report Post »  
  • jsl55
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 7:43pm

    I find it odd that the truck driver still hasn’t been identified. Could it be that his next of kin haven’t been located and notified? Or maybe his name might lead some people to jump to conclusions? Or is it just more of the common incompentence of the federal government? I would like to know the reason.

    Report Post »  
  • yubba
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 6:25pm

    I’ve work on semi trucks and trailers he could have had bad brakes on any number of those axles if only a coulple of wheels locked on 9 axles it could have left marks that long, DOT will figure it out, my best guess is speed and worn out brakes.

    Report Post »  
    • ginpa
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 7:06pm

      Speed yes. The speed limit in Nevada is 75 M.P.H. Me thinks he may have been going a “little” faster. Say maybe 90 or better? Sad all around if this is the reason.

      Report Post »  
  • ginpa
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 6:15pm

    Just looked this up on the net. Thanks Al. A fully loaded semi can go to 80,000 pounds. At 55 M.P.H. the stopping distance is 100 yards. This truck at close to half that weight could not stop in time so yes he must have really been———— flying.

    Report Post »  
  • Akira Gomi
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 6:08pm

    Bad driving, a dip truck driver, half of them shouldnt driving, I drive alot on the interstate, most truck drivers are idiots..

    Report Post » Akira Gomi  
  • Flotilla Hunter
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 5:41pm

    Quit spinning this into anything but driver/trucking company error. The trucking company has had several safety issues and at least two accidents in the last two years. One truck was sited at one point with such bald tires it had to be towed. Pray for the victims.

    Report Post »  
  • Starkadder
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 5:20pm

    Wanna bet the truck drivers name sounds middle eastern? any takers? didn’t think so.

    Report Post » Starkadder  
  • ginpa
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 4:01pm

    At what speed must a truck be traveling to skid 320 feet and not stop? “At a cosiderable speed” seems like very inappropriate language to discribe this “insident”. What was the trucker hauling? Anything we should know about? What is the truckers name and religion?

    Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 5:22pm

      He was definitely hauling a$$, but his trailer was empty.

      Report Post »  
    • bigmike63
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 5:50pm

      This just don’t add up to be a accident. The truck was hauling two empty gravel trailers. The weight of this rig was maybe 30,000lbs. so there would be no way it would skid for 320 ft. and still be going fast enough to embed itself into the train.Also I think I read that the truck struck the 10-th car. If that is true, there is no way that this was a accident.I have been driving truck for almost 40 years.and tell you that a empty set of doubles will not leave a 320ft skid mark.when trying to stop unless the speed was flight speed!

      Report Post »  
    • celestialfire
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 6:36pm

      Bigmike, it seems like the truck would jack knife at some point during a 320′ skid with empty piggy back trailers.

      Report Post »  
  • cep78070
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 3:15pm

    Oh yeah… There is miles of visibility in all directions… no reason not to stop…

    Report Post »  
  • cep78070
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 3:14pm

    This is the best coverage I have found of the “accident” however there is STILL no name on the driver, and or the Company of the truck. Also

    Why? “We will not be determining a probable cause of this accident while we are here,” Weener said.

    Why? Weener said they had yet to review video data taken from the train.

    Lots of holes in this…

    Report Post »  
  • HOLEDUPINTHEWILDERNESS
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 2:52pm

    I used to work on the railroad and worked on this route for Amtrack. I feel really sad about the loss of life. My father was a Conductor on that route for many years before he retired. Where the wreck happened is flat open desert. Wonder what the truck driver was doing. I have lost a lot of friends in train wrecks. Hope you all will stop the conspiracy theory bs and pray for the dead and injured.

    Report Post » HOLEDUPINTHEWILDERNESS  
    • republapig
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 8:45pm

      I live about 30 miles from the wreck site. Lotta Meth out here. Could be that or maybe he was texting. Ay any rate, they let the wrong guy lead the convoy. Still, 320 feet of skidmarks?

      Report Post » republapig  
  • Deanna in Missouri
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 2:46pm

    “Earlier witness accounts said the truck driver did not attempt to stop before it drove through the crossing, but Weener said the driver did try to stop because the truck skidded about 320 feet before it crashed.”

    Sooooo…who is telling the truth? Did it try to stop or did it not? I can see them trying to cover up a terrorist act…might make the King look bad.

    Report Post » Deanna in Missouri  
  • His Lamb is Satanic
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 2:33pm

    TSA will be the new SA ,and Ernst Rohm. It’s a contactiom of “SA” and T&A into “Odumbo’s T&A new nazi storm troopers” Note the name, Storm, is a favorite with queers and non gender based parents. Soon you may see Storm Trooper Shanti- Ooga- Booga, or Kinte- Storm Obdallah- Fatwah. People with hyphenated names that think their farts smell good. Kunte Kinta Maobama Storm? Weiner’s SA? Kunte Weiner-Hamas-Smith? Trooper Humma Q. Weiner? Clintoon gets a Humma at press corpse “relief’ conference? Obumma Humma for President!

    Report Post » His Lamb is Satanic  
  • jeckelmyhyde
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:28pm

    Still waiting on info and background of the driver, the silence is deafening.

    Report Post »  
  • Rev.sLeezy
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:14pm

    Add your comments

    Report Post » Rev.sLeezy  
  • Rev.sLeezy
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:11pm

    Holy Smokes. Now we have a reason for the TSA to rise to the occasion and begin it’s newly found area of neccessity. VIPR program rolls out to now include the TSA at all train stations. Bus accidents? Look out Grayhound. Arriving soon. TSA = Civilian National Security Force

    The Rev.sLeezy

    Report Post » Rev.sLeezy  
    • maxtitan
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 8:44pm

      Hey, I just went to the TSA website, only 4 confirmed investigations/finds where art or a concealed weapon was found: March-Jne 2011. What a waist of money. No weapons were found on baby patdowns or junk touching. The VIPR program couldn’t stop this guy from slamming into the train. Just saying…

      Report Post » maxtitan  
  • llotus
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:08pm

    I enjoyed a 400 mile ride on amtrask. Wouldnt want to go any further. I see the possibility of danger on them, and not just a wreck. Lotus.

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:40pm

    My guess is that the truck driver was probably speeding to begin with, or sped up initially, believing he could get across the tracks ahead of the train. Then, upon calculating that he could not beat out the train, slammed on the breaks and skidded into it, causing the accident. Train-track street level crossings are an invitation to disaster.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • last frontier
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:50pm

      Wait until we get the liberal dream trains that go 250

      Report Post » last frontier  
    • Salamander
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 7:06pm

      Oh, yes! Grade crossings are dangerous, so let’s use some of that TARP money to build bridges for the trains to cross over all the roads in the desert–the ride would be like a roller coaster; or, build bridges so the trucks could pass over EVERY train grade crossing, or tunnel under it! Wow, now THAT would be cost-effective! We don’t know the angle of the approach, whether there were any turns, whether the truck sped up or slowed down (I‘d bet the train didn’t change speed very much until the engineer hit the ‘square wheels’ switch! The truck looked like a tandem gravel hauler, maybe empty (they skid like crazy when unloaded)! Maybe the road was sandy, thus little traction for braking! Maybe the driver was texting his lunch date?

      Report Post »  
  • 2010GOP
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:08pm

    So they don’t track when/where/who of each passenger embarking and disembarking. This information is concerning giving that 20+ are not accounted for and the issue of national security as to not knowing the status of each passenger, you’d think that Amtrak and USA government would want such information for a number of legitimate reasons similar to the nature of passengers on jets. Good day…

    Report Post »  
  • ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:07pm

    I wonder how long until one of the crazy TEA BAGGERS find a way to blame this on Obama … or the liberals.

    ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:13pm

      I wonder how long until Mr Obama and the left falling media will take to blame the non hostile Tea Party and Conservative members of America?

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Pujols
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:19pm

      Get out of Momma’s basement and stop smoking that crap. You stupid enough. Or are you just looking for some love in all the wrong places?

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:30pm

      I wonder why Obama supporters … can’t get “TEA Party” through their small little minds .. using a vile term only makes you look STUPID.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • yubba
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:03pm

      I wonder how long it will take the left wing nut jobs like yourself to blame Tea Party members for acciedents like this, remember you lost in 2010 and you’ll loose in 2012, Bet the government can’t wait to spend millions to study this, maybe a round the world study might do, like they do for billboards.

      Report Post »  
    • last frontier
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:12pm

      Nice to see you are awake Dirtball, it’s Sunday I thought you would at least be sleeping in until 2:00 you must have a busy day planned playing video games.

      Report Post » last frontier  
    • hi
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:29pm

      Zombie What don’t you like about freedom and making your own decisions? That’s what the Tea Party is about.

      You’d rather have the government in control of your life? Tell me how that is working out in Greece, China, Venezuala, Cuba (the incompetent docs there just messed up you man Chauvez) and so on?

      Don’t you get it??? Your god, the government, is oppressive unless it abides by the Constitution.

      Report Post » hi  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 5:12pm

      CatB, it’s because many liberals are queers and that term is dear (ugh) to them. Friggen perverts.

      Report Post »  
    • Rumrunner3
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 8:42pm

      Really that lonely are ya. So sad.

      Report Post » Rumrunner3  
    • SICKOFPCNESS
      Posted on June 27, 2011 at 8:04am

      It is not helpful for those of us on the right to be throwing a bunch of names at Zombie. Obviously Zombie has drank the left’s Kool Aid about the Tea Party but when you get ugly about it, it will only reinforce his/her misinformed viewpoint. Be the better man/woman. Zombie you are wrong….Instead of hating us do a little homework. Truth has no agenda!

      Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:03pm

    I can only hope that something good will come from this.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • snidley-whiplash
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 2:32pm

      Yea Chief, maybe they will deport all terriorists around the age of 40. They can release names of conductors and others but not the driver going head long into the train at an high rate of speed.
      Come on why do we believe the bs. Who was the driver??????????????????????????????

      Report Post » snidley-whiplash  
  • wzd1a
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 11:55am

    Wow – almost three days after the crash this shows up? Still not covered on drudge, and Brietbart posted a shortly after I sent them a “tip” though this was widely reported on local propaganda outlets outlets.

    Why was this story so difficult toput on your site? Not enough ‘Mericans dead?

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:07pm

      These trains are an “attack on americans” waiting to happen…we don’t know who gets on or off…where they’re going. Could explode going through town

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:10pm

      This is the second incident involving a vehicle and AMTRAK train in three days now…what I wish to know is this just a series of bad coincidences (most likely it is), or could we be looking at the first of a new set of tactics by terrorists – non explosive suicide runs into the loaded trains.

      Think on it, how much of our national commerce does move by rail and truck? If the trains start to have a series of accidents, say from rail ties being removed AND accidents of vehicles hitting them then the disruption of goods, especially when hyped up to hysterical levels by the left media, may cause panic runs on goods and markets.

      Again, possibllity only, not likely yet worth keeping an eye out for.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:12pm

      God Above please be with the families of the fallen, help the searchers find the unaccounted alive and whole, and tend to the injured in body – mind – and soul as well as guiding and aiding the hands of those who are helping them as well.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:18pm

      The truck driver tried to stop?? What does that mean? Either you stop at a train crossing or you don’t. The area is a clear view, there are crossing signs, flashing lights! What is the problem?

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:26pm

      The only thing I can think of the truck’s brakes failed at that inopportune time. Not likely but I suppose it could happen.

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • Midwest Blonde
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 12:54pm

      to Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}

      I do believe you’re wrong about there being two train wrecks. This is the same wreck, it’s just now they are saying some people are “missing” and unaccounted for. Took officials 3 days to figure that out. Can’t help wondering if someone died and is still unfound, but might have been saved if their passenger list was correct. (or even of the HAD a list in the first place)

      Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:55pm

      And the wonderful NTSB said it may take up to a year for a completed investigation. That would be convenient, that way if it was a deliberate crash then it will be long over with, as to not cause people to quit traveling and spending money.

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 1:56pm

      Because people keeping spending money is more important than their safety.

      Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 3:19pm

      and I‘m sure it’s Bush’s faulth.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 5:11pm

      @Midwest Blonde:

      You are correct, I did mispost about two wrecks, I have gone back and checked the stories I was looking at earlier this weekend; indeed they are of the same incident, one had not been updated and only gave a general information of the matter (said a ‘vehicle impacted by a train’).

      Thank you for the clarification. My mega goof.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
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