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Los Angeles train collision leaves many dead, injured
Los Angeles train crash leaves at least 12 dead and 135 injured.
- AP
- Published: 08:48 September 13, 2008
- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says the death toll may rise
- Image Credit: AP
Los Angeles: Emergency crews worked desperately through the night and into Saturday morning, ripping into a mangled train car to search for an unknown number of people trapped in a horrific train wreck in Los Angeles.
A Metrolink commuter train carrying some 350 people collided head-on with a freight train Friday afternoon, killing at least 12 people and injuring about 135. The death toll was expected to increase as firefighters dug deeper into the wreckage.
Firefighters put out a fire under part of the train and pulled people from the passenger car, which was rested on its side with the Metrolink engine shoved inside it. Two other Metrolink cars remained upright. The train wreck shocked those who saw it.
Screams of agony
Leslie Burnstein heard screams of agony as she ran through a smoky haze toward a wrecked train where dozens of bloodied passengers were still trapped inside. She pulled victims out one by one, some weeping as they looked about at the destruction.
"It was horrendous," said Burnstein, a psychologist who saw the train crash from her home. "Blood was everywhere. I heard people yelling, screaming in pain, begging for help."
The engine of the Union Pacific freighter was left on its side, its nose against the Metrolink wreckage. The rest of the freight train was accordioned behind it.
Fire Chief Douglas Barry said heavy equipment was brought in to take apart cars, including one that some victims still trapped inside. "This is the worst accident I've ever seen," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. "Clearly the injuries are going to mount and so are the fatalities."
Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said the trains collided about 4.30 pm in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley. "I do not know what caused the wreck," said Tyrrell who broke down crying. "Obviously two trains are not supposed to be on the same track at the same time."
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