Amtrak Train Derails Near Hanford California; Over 40 People Injured

October 4th, 2012 |

HANFORD, Calif. — Amtrak Train 712 traveling from Oakland to Bakersfield was involved in an accident with a semi truck near the city of Hanford, California in Kings County. According to an Amtrak spokesperson, 169 passengers and four crew members were aboard.

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In Hanford, CA a semi truck rammed into a southbound Amtrak passenger train enroute to Bakersfield, CA, derailing the train and injuring the truck driver and over 40 people.

The accident occurred just before noon on Monday, Oct. 1, near 10th Avenue and Kansas Avenue south of the city of Hanford where authorities said two train cars and the locomotive were pushed off the tracks and were leaning at a 45-degree angle.

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Map showing location of an Amtrak train derailment and crash with a semi truck in Hanford, CA on October 1, 2012 at the Kansas Ave rail crossing just west of 10th ave.

Officials reported that more than 40 people were hurt including the truck driver. The Kings County Sheriff’s Department described the injuries as bumps and bruises and possibly broken bones.

KMPH Fox 26 reports:

Kaweah Delta Medical Center said it received nine patients with moderate injuries from the crash and was expecting four more.

Tulare Regional Medical Center said it received 10 passengers, while Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno said seven people were brought in for treatment.

Some passengers were treated at the scene. Most of them were not badly hurt.

KMPH News reporter Ashley Ritchie spoke with the family of a baby boy who was thrown from his seat and was found stuck in between two other seats. He was not seriously injured.

CHP spokesman Jerry Pierce told KMPH News that all uninjured passengers were taken by bus to the Hanford Civic Auditorium. From there, they were going to be able to take a bus to the Amtrak station in Bakersfield.

The incident remains under investigation at this time.

Posted by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and California railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.