http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31609770
California train derails after collision with truck.
California train derails after collision with truck.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31609770
California train derails after collision with truck.
A commuter train and a truck have collided, causing four carriages to derail northwest of Los Angeles.
The vehicle became engulfed in flames and at least 28 people have been injured, a fire department spokesman told the BBC.
Police in Oxnard, California, say the crash was first reported at 05:44 local time (13:44 GMT).
The collision happened at a level crossing as the truck turned on to the tracks and stopped, officials said.
"I saw a bright flash, a big fireball and flames, flames going pretty high," said Glenn Frisbie, who was driving to work and sitting at an intersection about a block away from the incident.
Metrolink spokesman Scott Johnson estimated the train struck the truck at a speed between 40 mph (64 kmh) to 50 mph.
Officials say that no one has died, but 13 people remained in emergency rooms Tuesday afternoon for treatment.
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Ever since Polmont I have wondered about the potential for push-pull trains to jack-knife when the loco is at the rear. If the front is being decelerated at more than the normal braking rate due to collision or derailment, then there will be significantly more compressive forces in the train than there would be with a multiple unit of the same length. Unless ballasted up the cab car would also be lighter than a MU car so easier to lift off the track.
US cab cars have a heavily beefed up structure for crashworthiness.Unless ballasted up the cab car would also be lighter than a MU car so easier to lift off the track.
US cab cars have a heavily beefed up structure for crashworthiness.
With nobody being killed or in a critical condition from what appears to be a very serious crash, it would appear that it did its job.