LAKELAND, Fla. — Amtrak’s Silver Star was involved in a derailment this evening (July 14) after a grade-crossing collision with a truck carrying automobiles, according to a WFTS-TV report.
An Amtrak spokeswoman said the train’s lead locomotive derailed, and that the company was working with local emergency responders to move approximately 166 passengers and 10 crew members from the train to a shelter. The passenger count was later revised to 163.
WKMG-TV reports first responders were called to the accident scene shortly after 7 p.m. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has updated the injury count to eight people. The train was reportedly traveling about 78 mph at the time of the collision, which cost damage estimated at $6 million to $10 million. The truck’s driver has been cited for insufficient clearance at a railroad crossing.
The train, which had originated in Miami earlier in the day, was operating on a route owned by CSX Transportation.
— Updated at 10:28 p.m. CDT with additional information on injuries; updated July 15 at 8:05 a.m. CDT with additional details, updated injury information.
