An Altamont Corridor Express train with more than 200 passengers aboard struck a downed tree and derailed Monday night during a heavy downpour, injuring nine as one of its rail cars tumbled into a rain-swollen creek.
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A Sheriff’s Sergeant said it was a miracle that no one died, when the first rail auto went into Alameda Creek.
The department says all passengers have been evacuated from the derailed train and are being checked by paramedics.
Alameda County Fire posted the above photos to Twitter at 8:21 p.m.as rescue efforts were underway.
Because of the remote location of the crash, uninjured passengers had to walk a half mile along a fire trail before getting shuttled to the ACE parking lot in Pleasanton, which was the next stop the train was scheduled to make.
Rak Akhter tells San Jose television station KNTV he was in the front vehicle that fell into the Alameda Creek. Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony King said, “It was like the movies”.
Officials say the train company has sent buses to take passengers of a derailed train to their destination. “It was very chaotic”, Kelly said.
“So when opened up the side door, we could look down and see the number one vehicle lying on its side”, said Rich Howell, passenger.
All of the passengers from the derailed train have been removed, authorities said.
“Passengers told NBC Bay Area that they were terrified to find themselves in the water, forced to save fellow passengers and trek to safety through complete darkness”. Authorities say 14 people were injured, four of them seriously. Four of the injured were transported to hospitals. Police shut down Niles Canyon Road and expect it to remain closed until further notice.
The train was heading from San Jose to Stockton. “We were able to open up the rear door”, Howell said.
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Altamont Corridor Express says all train service on the line will be canceled on Tuesday.
