Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Surveillance Tape Shows Train Accident

Aired April 24, 2002 - 11:00   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: First though, we want to show you this tape -- this incredible videotape that we've just gotten in to us here at CNN, a security camera that was mounted on a building across the street -- across the tracks from where that fatal train accident took place yesterday in southern California.

What you will see in these black and white images, you'll see the commuter train that was carrying 260 people on board come to a stop and then get pushed. OK, there's the picture. That's the commuter train. That's the Metrolink coming into Anaheim, California. It comes to a stop, but then it's pushed again. And as you'll see on the left side of your screen, the freight train, the BNSF train, as it runs into this commuter train. And in yesterday's crash which took place -- and there's the freight train coming into the screen right there. This -- in this crash -- two people died in this crash yesterday in southern California (UNINTELLIGIBLE). More than 260 people were injured.

Let's bring back in our Thelma Gutierrez.

Thelma, these pictures, I mean rarely could you plant a camera in the place to see a train collision take place right at the exact moment that it did. But as you were pointing out right before the top of the hour, just a coincidence that this camera was in the place where it is mounted.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well that's right, and a coincidence that it happened to be rolling and functioning at that time.

So, Daryn, one thing that I was told by a Metrolink spokesperson out here is that NTSB investigators now have in their possession that tape and they're hoping to look for clues as to how this collision even happened. And I want to show you across the street, you take a look at the self-storage building, the camera is actually mounted on that building and it's facing the railroad tracks, the intersection that you see right there with the lights. As the train -- the commuter train was heading in toward Anaheim, it comes to a stop and somehow that freight train coming out of Los Angeles plows into this commuter train.

As you had mentioned, 2 people dead, 265 people injured, 160 at least taken to local hospitals. It was quite a scene out here, Daryn. A triage area was set up to treat many of the walking wounded. Some of the people said it was just a horrific site and something that they could have never imagined.

Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: And also you were pointing out to us, Thelma, that behind you that big plastic tarp is covering -- actually covering the commuter train right now. As I understand it,...

GUTIERREZ: Yes.

KAGAN: ... commuters who are used to taking that train today have to find a different way to work.

GUTIERREZ: Well that's right. In fact, we were told that there are 1,500 people who take this line each and every day, but this morning they're going to have to find a new way to get into work. The train tracks are now open, but they're open only for the freight trains, not for commuters.

And again, Daryn, as you had mentioned, this area right behind me, you can see the Metrolink track -- train that's actually covered in black plastic. The freight train, however, was moved out of this area last night. Commuter train though, right here, black plastic, off the tracks. The tracks are now open to freight trains only -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Thelma Gutierrez in Anaheim. Thelma, thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com