8 Injured When Amtrak Train Hits Truck In Lakeland: Police

LAKELAND, FL — At least eight people were injured Friday night when an Amtrak train crashed into a tractor-trailer at a Lakeland rail crossing, Polk County authorities said.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened shortly after 7 p.m. on Canal Avenue North, just south of U.S. Highway 92. Authorities said prior to the crash, a truck hauling seven vehicles on a trailer became stuck on the tracks.

According to authorities, the truck was hit by an Amtrak train that had recently left the Lakeland station and was traveling east and parallel to US 92. Police said the train was carrying 163 passengers and 10 crew members.

As the train approached the crossing, police said the engineer saw the truck and blew the train's horn; however, as the crossing arms and lights activated, the driver and passenger both jumped out of the truck.

After hitting the truck, police said the train traveled another 200 yards before coming to a stop. The crash caused a portion of the lead engine to derail and leak a small amount of diesel fuel.

According to authorities, eight people received treatment at local hospitals for minor injuries.

"It is truly a miracle that nobody was seriously hurt in this crash. A collision between a passenger train and a semi-truck could have been much worse," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. "Our sympathies are with those who were injured. I don't think I could say enough about the incredible response and total team effort by all of the agencies involved."

Police said the truck driver was issued a citation for insufficient clearance at a railroad crossing.

US 92 and Canal Avenue North were closed for approximately ten hours while officials from CSX, Amtrak, and the National Transportation Safety Board responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.