A Chicago-bound Amtrak train carrying 200 passengers has derailed in Michigan after striking another vehicle, according to reports.
Authorities said Friday that an empty vehicle was on the tracks in southwestern Michigan, causing the collision.
The Berrien County sheriff’s office said in a statement:
“The engineer and approximately 10 passengers received non-life threatening injuries and were treated by local ambulance services.”
The train derailed but remained upright.
The crash happened Thursday evening near New Buffalo in Michigan’s southwestern corner.
The city is about 70 miles east of Chicago.
The vehicle was stuck on the tracks, the sheriff’s office said.
The truck was in the process of being removed when the train hit it.
The train’s engineer had no warning that a vehicle was on the tracks.
Railroad spokesman Marc Magliari said there was no warning because no one contacted Amtrak about the incident.
“There are large blue signs at that crossing that have a phone number,” he said.
Passenger Riley Kozloff said the crash caused a fire outside the train.
Kozloff told WNDU-TV in South Bend, Indiana:
“I bumped my head a little at first — the collision just happened.
“It felt like it was 20 seconds long, everyone was just confused.”
Passengers were taken to the nearby New Buffalo High School.
Some were picked up by family and friends.
Other passengers continued their trip to Chicago on buses arranged by Amtrak, the sheriff’s office said.
The train was carrying six crew members and an estimated 218 passengers aboard.
It had been traveling west to Chicago from Pontiac, Mich.
Amtrak has three routes for people traveling between Chicago and many communities in Michigan.
At least eight trains were canceled Friday while investigators remained at the crash scene.
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