Amtrak Train From LA Derails In Missouri; Three Killed, Dozens Injured

LOS ANGELES -- Three people were killed and dozens more were injured today when an Amtrak train that departed Los Angeles Union Station and passed through Fullerton and Riverside en route to Chicago collided with a dump truck in Missouri and derailed.

The crash occurred near Mendon, Missouri, at 10:42 a.m. California time, Amtrak officials said the train struck a dump truck ``that was obstructing a public crossing.''

According to Amtrak, eight train cars and two locomotives came off the tracks. Photos from the scene posted online showed a line of train cars on their side alongside the tracks.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol official told reporters three people died in the crash -- two aboard the train and one from the dump truck that was hit by the train.

As many as 50 other injuries were reported, although exact numbers were still being tabulated. Media reports from the scene indicated some of the injuries were critical.

According to Amtrak there were ``approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members'' on the train.

``Local authorities are currently assisting customers,'' according to Amtrak. ``Our Incident Response Team has been activated, and we are deploying emergency personnel to the scene to help support our passengers, our employees and their families with their needs.''

The crash involved Amtrak's Southwest Chief train 4. According to Amtrak schedules, the train would have left Los Angeles Union Station Saturday evening, making stops in Fullerton, Riverside and San Bernardino as it began the roughly 43-hour trip to Chicago.

According to Amtrak, people seeking information about relatives or friends aboard the train can call (800) 523-9101.

-- City News Service