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CNN Live Today
Investigators Return to Scene of Deadly Train Crash
Aired April 24, 2002 - 10:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We focus now back on this country and move on to southern California, where investigators are back on the scene today of yesterday's deadly train crash that took place just north of Anaheim. Two people were killed in that crash, more than 260 people were injured when a mile-long freight train slammed into a commuter train that was stopped on the tracks. It was packed with rush-hour commuters.
Our Thelma Gutierrez is on the scene now and hopefully can tell us more about what went wrong -- Thelma, good morning.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
Well, cleanup crews worked all through the night. Those railroad tracks are now open. If you would ask what exactly went on out here, NTSB investigators say it will take a long time before they are able to actually tell why this collision took place.
But you take a look right behind me, you can see that the Metrolink train is still here. It's covered in black plastic. Now, the Burlington Northern train that was involved in yesterday's collision was moved out of here last night. Now, that train, the Metrolink train is off the tracks.
The devastating collision happened yesterday morning as commuters were heading to work about 8:15 Pacific Time. The Metrolink commuter train collided head on with a mile-long freight train. Two passengers were killed and at least 260 people injured. Officials say 162 people were treated at local hospitals. A triage area was set up to treat the wounded.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of a sudden, you just hear a boom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the train was -- it was definitely head- on collision.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A dead stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Metro was at a dead stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A dead stop. It was going west.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And also and the train comes boom...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... head on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: This was the worst accident in Metrolink's history. At the time accident, the commuter train was at a stand still, when it was struck by the Burlington Northern. The commuter train was struck before it could convert to another track. And NTSB investigators say that emergency brakes were applied 2,100 feet before the impact. After the impact, the force was so great it pushed the Metrolink train some 370 feet down the track.
Now, one of the factors that the NTSB is looking at is whether or not the red stop lights, the cross lights were actually working at the time, that they were working properly. They say it will take months before they are actually able to determine what happened; 1500 people commute on this line every single day. We are told though that they will be closed, this line will be closed to commuters. They will be moved onto commuter buses this morning, and later on this afternoon, it should be open -- Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: So, Thelma, you mentioned the signals, but at this point, are investigators giving a clue as to whether they think this was more a mechanical failure or a human failure?
GUTIERREZ: Well, those are the two things that they are looking at, Daryn. But I just talked with a spokesperson a few moments ago. They say one of the key issues is that traffic light to see whether or not in fact it was working and whether or not that actually caused the crash. But we were in our live shot just a couple of seconds ago, you could hear the freight train going back and forth. So I have mentioned that that line is now open.
KAGAN: All right. The freight train moves, commuters will have to find another way to get to work today. Thelma Gutierrez in southern California -- Thelma, thank you so much.
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