LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Federal transportation safety investigators on Saturday were at the scene of a crash between a tractor-trailer rig and an Amtrak train in Nevada, where authorities say more bodies may be found in the wreckage.
At least two people have been confirmed killed and dozens injured in the Friday morning collision at a crossing of U.S. Route 95 near the town of Lovelock, about 70 miles east of Reno, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.
A Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman said further fatalities may be discovered during a search of burned-out train cars that was awaiting arrival of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board.
"Preliminary reports are that there have been fatalities to passengers, an Amtrak train crew member and the operator of the truck," Amtrak said in a statement, which seemed to raise the death toll at four or more.
A spokeswoman for the passenger rail line, which is partly owned by the U.S. government, declined to elaborate on the statement.
A spokeswoman for Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno said the hospital received nine people from the accident, including one listed in critical condition on Saturday.
A second patient was listed in serious condition and two were in fair condition, the spokeswoman said. Five others had been discharged.
About 60 people were taken to Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon, about 30 miles away, spokeswoman Aimee Fulk told Reuters.
The 10 most seriously hurt patients were admitted and treated in the hospital's emergency room, she said, while the remaining 50 were treated for lesser injuries and released.
Fulk said she had no further information on the condition of the patients in the emergency room but was not aware of any life-threatening injuries among them.
Authorities believe the driver of the truck barreled through closed crossing arms and ignored warning lights before smashing into the side of the train.
The westbound California Zephyr was en route from Chicago to Emeryville, California with 204 passengers and 14 crew members on board.
The fiery crash sent a plume of black smoke billowing into the air over the scene.
"The truck did in fact strike the train at the fourth car and according to witness statements the gates and lights were operational," Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Dan Lopez told Reuters.
Passengers who were not injured, some of whom spent the night in local shelters, were taken to their destinations by bus.
(Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst)
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