Amtrak trains collide in California

GlobalPost

Sixteen people were injured late Wednesday when two Amtrak trains collided at a station in Oakland, California.

The Associated Press said one train had crashed into another that had been unloading passengers at around 10pm. The trains had come from Bakersfield and Los Angeles.

Oakland Fire Department battalion chief Emon Usher said the train had been traveling at 15 to 20 miles per hour.

A passenger on one of the trains, Alton Smith, told the KTVU television station that he felt "an awful jolt".

Several people were reportedly taken to hospital, but most of the injuries were minor.

The Associated Press reported:

Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole described the crash as it as a "low speed" collision between Amtrak's "San Joaquin," a train that operates between Bakersfield to Oakland, and the Coast Starlight, a train from Los Angeles to Seattle.

Amtrak officials said train traffic had been temporarily suspended at the station, but no reason has been given for what caused the crash.

Kickstart The World’s fundraising drive!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us raise $67,000  by the end of the year and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer to our goal!