Sunday, June 26, 2011

Crossing Through Nevada

"US investigates truck-train collision

RENO — Federal authorities plan to look into the driving and medical records of the tractor-trailer driver who died when the truck slammed into an Amtrak train, killing a train crew member and injuring dozens of passengers. Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said they also will look at autopsy results to determine whether the driver had consumed any drugs before the Friday crash. Police said gates and warning lights at the rural crossing 70 miles east of Reno were working."

Next Day Update:

"N.H. couple were on train struck by truck

A New Hampshire couple was on board an Amtrak train when a tractor-trailer crashed into it, killing six people. Eugene Rheault told the Reno Gazette-Journal that he and another man helped pull a woman who had several broken bones to safety from the wreckage. A truck driver and at least five others died when the truck slammed into the side of one of the train’s passenger cars in the Nevada desert Friday. About 20 others were injured in the fiery crash. Rheault, a dentist who lives in Manchester, N.H., was on his way to San Francisco with his wife when the crash happened. Rheault said he and his wife were playing cards in the observation deck when there was a big bang, an explosion, and a huge fire passing by the window. (AP)."  

Also see: Nevada truck firm in train wreck had citations