A collision with a tow truck causes a major derailment of an Amtrak train to Chicago, resulting in significant travel disruptions
A large truck obstructing the tracks caused an Amtrak train bound for Chicago to derail in Michigan, resulting in significant travel disruptions for passengers en route to their destination.
Around 9:20 p.m. local time on Thursday, an Amtrak train faced a critical situation in New Buffalo Township, Michigan. The Berrien County sheriff’s office reported that the train collided with a tow truck and the car it was trying to remove from the tracks. Despite the collision causing the train to derail, it remained upright, preventing a more severe outcome.
Around 200 train passengers were faced with an alarming and unforeseen event. Local authorities worked together with Amtrak to quickly organize buses to transport the affected passengers to New Buffalo High School for additional support.
Amid the inconvenience experienced by passengers on their journey to Chicago, Amtrak took action and organized alternative transportation. Around 12:40 a.m. local time, buses provided by the rail service were dispatched to pick up the passengers. Covering the roughly 65-mile journey, these buses enabled the passengers to finally arrive in Chicago in the early hours of Friday.
The train was supposed to arrive in Chicago by 11 p.m. on Thursday, but due to the derailment, the travel plans of the passengers were significantly affected. Fortunately, the train remained upright despite the incident, although some damage was sustained.
Local law enforcement confirmed that after the incident, the train conductor and around 10 passengers received on-site medical attention for minor injuries.
Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the events that caused the train derailment. They are working tirelessly to identify the factors that led to the collision with the tow truck and the subsequent derailment.
Amtrak responded promptly to the incident by canceling Michigan trains on Friday and most of Saturday. However, passengers have been reassured of a return to normalcy, as Amtrak has announced plans to operate a full schedule of Michigan trains starting this Sunday. The first services are scheduled to resume with Wolverine Trains 354 and 355 on Saturday afternoon and evening (Nov. 18).
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