22 Injured In Amtrak Derailment

[John Ashworth]

22 Injured In Amtrak Train Derailment

Train Hits Equipment Near Benkelman

POSTED: 9:45 am CDT August 26, 2011
KETV7

BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Authorities said a total of 22 people were injured when an Amtrak train derailed after striking a crane on the tracks in southwest Nebraska.

According to Amtrak, the California Zephyr train ran into some equipment on the tracks and derailed two locomotives and three railcars around 8 a.m. MDT near Benkelman. The remainder of the train remained upright and in line, Amtrak said.

Train 6, which was carrying 178 passengers at the time, was on its way from the San Francisco Bay area to Chicago. There were no reports of life-threatening injuries.

Dundy County emergency director Elaine Frasier said 20 people on the train, including passengers and crew, were taken to area hospitals. She said two other people not on the train also were injured but didn't immediately have details about whether they were on the crane or elsewhere on the tracks.

Frasier said none of the injuries was critical and included back and neck injuries.

Amtrak said other passengers were taken from the scene to a nearby high school to be cared for and to be transported east to their destination.

Relatives and friends looking for information about passengers on this train can call 1-800-523-9101.