A significant incident occurred in Delray Beach as a Brightline train collided with a fire truck, resulting in multiple injuries and sparking ongoing investigations.
Zach Thrasher, a passenger on the Brightline train, recounted the sudden and intense impact experienced during the collision. He and others initially believed they had hit a car due to the severity of the crash. However, it was later confirmed that the train had struck a Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck attempting to cross the tracks, despite the crossing gates being down.
The force of the collision was immense, causing the fire truck to split in two and its ladder to be thrown several yards away. According to Delray Beach Police, 15 individuals were hospitalized; 12 were train passengers and three were firefighters.
Thrasher commented on the tragic misunderstanding, suggesting the fire truck drivers might have been unaware of the high-speed train directly behind a cargo train, which they possibly thought was the only train on the tracks. Despite Brightline’s safety measures, including functioning crossing gates, the accident still occurred.
A Brightline spokesperson stated that due to the train’s high speed, a full stop requires nearly a mile, highlighting safety considerations for passengers. Meanwhile, normal train services resumed after the remains of the fire truck were cleared.
This incident has prompted investigations by Delray Beach Police, Brightline, and the National Transportation Safety Board, all seeking to determine responsibility for the crash.
The collision between the Brightline train and the fire truck in Delray Beach serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in ensuring railway safety. As investigations continue, authorities aim to understand the factors leading to this accident to prevent future occurrences.
Source: Wsvn
