Amtrak train partially derails after water truck obstructs tracks in Moorpark; 16 injured
MOORPARK, Calif. (KABC) -- Investigators and passengers are asking questions Wednesday evening after an Amtrak train derailed after colliding with a water truck obstructing the tracks in Moorpark.
Officials said a total of 16 people were injured, including the driver of the water truck, but there were no serious injuries. If train cars had actually toppled over completely, officials believe there would have been a lot more people injured.
"We're very lucky today that the trains stayed on the wheels," said Andy Vansciver of Ventura County Fire. "Obviously, it was derailed but it stayed vertical. I think that really limited the amount of injuries we had."
AIR7 HD was above the scene and captured the train with several of its cars off the tracks.
People could also be seen on ambulance stretchers. One couple was headed to the hospital after one of them suffered an arm injury.
The train was traveling westbound and filled with more than 200 people at the time at the crash. Some of the passengers spoke with Eyewitness News about the ordeal.
"Yeah, I was listening to an audio tape when and I was laying back on the sofa, and all of a sudden, we hit very hard and things were flying around," said Debbie Welsford of Anaheim. "Our luggage, my cup, the water ... everything was just flying around the room and we realized we hit something so we came out and looked and saw the water tank."
"It was very brief. Felt the train make impact and, you know, flew me forward in the car," said Matthew Roberts of Paso Robles. "Immediately got up to see if everyone around me was ok. The car filled with a lot of dust and it took about 30 seconds for the train to come to a stop and we assessed the situation, made sure everyone was ok, and got to the exit and that was it."
The water truck was delivering water to local ranches in the rural area when it got in the way of the train. The driver was talking with police before being taken to the hospital. It's unclear why the water truck was in the train's way.
Officials were bussing the uninjured passengers to the Moorpark Senior Center where they could be reunited with loved ones. Amtrak worked with passengers to help them get to their final destination.
The train was set to stop in Oxnard on its way to Seattle.
The tracks themselves have been damaged due to the collision as well and it was unclear how people who use the line to and from work would be able to travel home Wednesday night.
Amtrak released the following statement on the crash:
"On June 28, 2023, Amtrak train 14 was traveling from Los Angeles to Seattle at approx. 11:15 a.m. PT when it struck a water truck obstructing the tracks at Moorpark, California. There were approximately 198 passengers and 13 crew onboard who were evacuated from the train, with no reports of serious injuries. The train derailed as a result of the impact but remained upright. Amtrak is working with customers to make alternate travel arrangements. Amtrak, in coordination with local authorities, is conducting a full investigation."
Amtrak services between Ventura and Los Angeles have been suspended since the train is on the track that connects the two.
NTSB, Amtrak and the Ventura County Sheriff's office are investigating the incident.
