Amtrak Train Plows into Bacon Truck

Patch editor Scott Viau contributed to this report

An Amtrak train bound for Chicago from San Antonio, Texas, hit a semi-tractor trailer near Wilmington at about 4 p.m. Friday.

While Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz said earlier there were no serious injures, The Herald-News is reporting that Wilmington Police Chief Phillip Arnold said 10 people were injured. A Wilmington police dispatcher was not able to confirm that report and the severity of those injured is unknown at this time.

The trailer, which carried bacon, overturned and the meats were spilled along the tracks near Route 53 and River Road. The truck was leaking fuel, which compelled authorities to move the passengers to a nearby high school.

NBC Chicago reports that 70,000 pounds of bacon was scattered around the train.

Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz told Patch 203 passengers were on board the train at the time.

“There were no serious injuries to any of the passengers or crew,” Schulz said.

The truck was based in Montgomery and was headed to a U.S. Cold Storage facility, reports the Associated Press. The train, No. 22 on the Texas Eagle line, already five hours late for its destination, did not derail but will be significantly delayed.

The passengers will be able to get to Chicago by train or bus.

“We’re waiting to see which one will be first,” Schulz said. “We’ve ordered buses and we’re also hoping the train will be released soon, so whichever one is first is what we’ll do to get the passengers to Chicago as quickly as possible.”

There’s no word on why the semi was stalled across the tracks. The condition and name of the semi driver is not known at this time.

» watch NBC Chicago aerial video