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American Morning

31 U.S. Marines Dead After Helicopter Crash in Iraq; Two Commuter Trains Collide in Suburbs of L.A.

Aired January 26, 2005 - 09:30   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the breaking news in Iraq in a few moments. Again, 31 U.S. Marines are dead after a helicopter crash in western Iraq, part of the deadliest day for U.S. troops since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jeff Koinange is in Baghdad. General David Grange is on the telephone. We'll get to both men in a moment here -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Also President Bush is holding somewhat of a surprise news conference in just about 30 minutes. Reporters are obviously going to have lots of questions about Iraq. We'll also have more on what's behind this as we get a little bit closer to the president. We're told that he's going to be taking a look at his ambitious second-term agenda. We'll get more on that.

HEMMER: We'll get you out to California right now, Glendale, California, just north of downtown Los Angeles, just northeast of Hollywood. This is what we understand through KABC, our affiliate working this story in Glendale, two commuter trains apparently side- swiped each other. They are treating people at the scene. But we do not have number on this. We don't have much information after that. Two commuter trains sideswiping one another. When we get more, we'll pass it along to you. That's in California.

Now overseas in Baghdad, back to the breaking news, with 31 U.S. Marines dead. That helicopter going down the western part of the country, near the Jordanian border, a search and rescue team is on the scene. All of this happening about 18 hours ago. Jeff Koinange updates us now from the Iraqi capital.

Jeff, what have you learned?

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, we learned that the transport helicopter, a CH-53 Sea Stallion crashed 1:30 a.m. early, Baghdad time this morning. It crashed near the town of Ar Rutbah. That's in the Al Anbar province, in the very volatile Sunni Triangle. According to a spokesman from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 31 U.S. Marines are dead in that incident. He couldn't confirm the amount of injuries or whether how many Marines were actually on board that transport helicopter. He did say that a search and rescue team is on the scene as we speak, and that an investigation is being launched right away to determine, whether it was an hostile action or whether it was an accident -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Jeff, keep us posted there from Baghdad. Jeff Koinange there. Much more now with Soledad back here. O'BRIEN: All right, thanks, Bill. Earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, we spoke with retired Brigadier General David Grange on the phone. I asked him what kind of work the Marines were likely doing in that area, and whether he felt that the crash was a work of insurgents or a terrible accident.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: We don't know if it was a raid to actually hit a site or just moving troops back and forth to bring them to some remote sites for other type of operations, a local patrolling security presence. We don't know. And we don't know at this time whether it was an accident or hostile action that brought the aircraft down.

Helicopters are key to a battlefield like this. And it really gets you fast from point A to B to put the right troops in the right place at the right time of your choosing. But also it's also a very dangerous platform. And the sea stallion, I've been on them many times, is a good helicopter. They're getting a bit older, but it's a very heavy duty, heavy-lift helicopter.

O'BRIEN: Search and rescue teams, we are told, are on the ground now. Would that give you an indication as to potentially what might have happened and how long potentially could they be doing their work.

GRANGE: Well, the search-and-rescue teams are going to be tide to, do they have full accountability of everybody that was on the manifest that would be on that aircraft? And as always, this manifest used, the junior commanders and higher responsibility, who is on what airframe when they move people around. And the search and rescue, if it did crash and it may be over more than a spot area, it may have -- it may be a concern over bigger area from the crash. And so people are looking for maybe some missing troopers to provide immediate medical assistance, if need be, and to secure the area, if in case it is a hostile area, from enemy intrusion.

O'BRIEN: A terrible toll if you're talking about 31 Marines killed, the second deadliest incident was 17 killed, as you know, on November 15th when the Blackhawk went down in Mosul. Give me a sense of what you make of this, whether it's an accident or some kind of attack, at this time as Iraq heads to its elections, sir?

GRANGE: Well you know, helicopters are vulnerable to enemy ground fire, surface-to-air missiles and other means, even just you know, just normal direct-fire weapons. And you know, the aircraft normally fly very low and fast above the terrain features in order to avoid surface-to-air missiles.

But again, it's also a high probability that it could be an accident, because helicopters have accidents I think just about as much as they are brought down by enemy fire. So you know, it's hard to tell at this time, it could be 50/50.

(END VIDEOTAPE) O'BRIEN: That was retired Brigadier General David Grange, talking with us a little bit earlier this morning. The president is expected to address reporters in the briefing room at the White House. It's going to happen at the top of the hour in about 25 minutes. He is going to talk, we are told, about his ambitious second term agenda, but one has to expect that reporters will ask him questions, not only about this terrible incident, in Iraq with 31 Marines dead and 4 more in another incident, but also Iraq in general, as they head -- and are really just days away from the election there.

HEMMER: Let's get back to Southern California now, Soledad, Glendale, California. Put the picture up again. 6:35 local time there. This is what we're learning, Daryn Kagan is monitoring KABC down there at the CNN Center. This is what KABC is now reporting. Two metrolink trains sideswiped one another leaving downtown earlier today. This is just north of downtown L.A. One was headed for Burbank. One was headed for Moorpark (ph). They believe about 15 people are still trapped, trying to get to them at this point. Metrolink, by the way, is the commuter train system that runs through Southern California. It links counties like Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County. That's from KABC.

From the Associated Press, they're saying that firefighters are now searching through that rescue. We could see earlier smoke coming from the scene as well, from that twisted wreckage there. If you know the area at all, this is the suburbs of L.A., again, north of downtown, near San Fernando Road and Chevy Chase Boulevard. So that's about all we know now.

Reporters are on the scene. A number of fire officials as well, as you see the fire trucks roll through there. When we get more on this, we'll pass it along to you. But with the helicopter shot, that's about all we have right now -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: We've been talking about President Bush, and of course we're expecting to hear from the president in about 25 minutes. He's going to be talk to reporters in the briefing room. He's supposed to lay out his ambitious second-term agenda. His inaugural address was a little bit low on specifics, as those addresses tend to be. More on what is plans to say this morning. We also expect, of course, he's going to answer questions, or at least take questions, on this terrible incident in Iraq as well, with 31 Marines dead.

Let's go right to Suzanne Malveaux. She's at the White House for us this morning.

Suzanne, Let's begin first, before we get to this terrible incident in Iraq, let's talk about what the president says he's going to do this morning in the briefing room at 10:00.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, Soledad. It's somewhat unusual that it would be held in the briefing room, a little bit more of a casual setting. But this is his first official press conference of his second term. We're told he'll start off by making opening remarks. Of course, he's going to talk about the terrible incident in Iraq with those Marines killed, saying his heart goes out to the victims, as well as the families. But he will also make the case that it's well worth it for the United States to be invested in Iraq's democracy. He'll also of course talk about the upcoming elections in Iraq, just days away. And that despite the casualties, that this is something that's important for the U.S. and its allies to be invested in.

And then finally, we understand, he's going to lay out his second-term agenda very much like the inaugural address. He'll make the case that spreading democracy and ending tyranny around the world is a just cause, and he'll use examples of success. He'll talk about the successful elections in Afghanistan. He'll also talk about the Palestinian elections. Mahmoud Abbas becoming the new head of the Palestinian Authority. He'll also talk about Ukraine, Yuschenko, the fact that democracy prevailed there. He'll try to answer his critics and his skeptics, saying that he believes they can bridge allies, that he can make amends with some of those questions over strained relations over the Iraq war, that it is one of his priorities.

He will also of course talk about his domestic agenda. On the centerpiece of his domestic agenda, which has been very much in question, whether or not even the Republicans will support that, and that of course is the Social Security reform.

O'BRIEN: Because it's in the briefing room, Suzanne, that means that he will then follow up with questions reporters. One has to imagine reporters, in addition to all that you've laid out, are also going to be focused on this incident, and we're calling it that, because we don't know exactly what happened with the 31 Marines killed in Iraq. Is that fair to say?

MALVEAUX: Well, absolutely. We spoke with Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, who already said that the president is coming forward to hold this press conference not because of that incident, not to respond to that incident. That is something that they had been considering for sometime. But nevertheless, of course the president will make his views known that he will offer his condolences, but in the larger picture, he will say that this is just part of the cost what is necessary to bring forward democracy in that part of the world, and of course his larger vision that he says, to bring democracy in the larger region, the Middle East region, and how that it's not only important for those countries overseas, but also for the safety and security of the American people at home -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: That's going to be tough for those family members of those 31 Marines who are now dead, obviously, to hear, one has to imagine.

Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House for us this morning. Suzanne, thanks a lot. Of course the president, we're expecting to hear from him 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, in about 20 minutes, where, as Suzanne just mentioned, he'll talk about his second term agenda and then take questions, as well -- Bill.

HEMMER: Looking at this Web site here, Soledad. The marine aircraft wing, the 3rd marine aircraft wing, apparently out of San Diego, California. Not sure how long they've been stationed in Iraq. But that's where the Web site directs us, anyway. Also interesting to note, later today, no cause for this crash has been given, but what Chad was reporting, when the crash occurred, about the level of humidity in the western part of Iraq at that time. So maybe more from the Pentagon, too, and Barbara Starr on that as we go throughout the morning here.

In the meantime, back to the headlines. Here's Carol Costello with us in New York.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of breaking news this morning. We have an update on that semi -- that tractor trailer accident, the tractor trailer that went over the bridge in Maryland. I told you about it 20 minutes ago. Let's go right to the pictures now. This is near Savage, Maryland, in Howard County. That's about a half hour drive north of the Washington area.

And you can see the tractor trailer like over on its top. It's upside down. Apparently what happened, I-95 and a bridge is there. You can see it in your screen. You can see it on your screen right now. Apparently a dump truck was the other participant in this accident. Somehow this tractor trailer flipped over and flipped over the bridge. You see medevacs crews on the scene right now. They started to take the truck driver out of the truck, at least we think it was the truck driver. And then they stopped. And you can draw your own conclusions from there.

Now, beneath this bridge is the Patuxent River. And of course that's maybe causing some difficulty for rescue crews right now. Actually, you can see the stretcher right now. See it? It's going up over the bridge. I don't know if it's attached to a helicopter or not. It seems as if it would be, but I can't tell from that picture. We don't know the condition of the driver. But we hope he made it through alive. But we know there are multiple injuries in this crash. And when we get more information, of course, we will pass it along to you.

On to the rest of the day's news right now. The Senate Judiciary Committee is meeting right now to consider the nomination of Alberto Gonzales for attorney general. He's expected to win quick committee approval. And in about two hours, the full Senate is expected to take a final vote on Condoleezza Rice's nomination for secretary of state. Be sure to stay with CNN for live coverage of the vote, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern.

As we told you about earlier, President Bush will be holding a news conference on his plans for a second term. That's expected in about a half hour. Later today, the president meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus. This will be only the second official meeting between the president and the CBC. The two sides have had a somewhat strained relationship during the past four years.

And soon you may be seeing no smoking signs popping up in parks around San Francisco. City officials have passed a ban on smoking at all city-owned parks and other outdoor areas. Violators would risk fines from $100 to $500. Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law. So no smoking outdoors either in public places. O'BRIEN: Not surprising, coming from San Francisco, I got to say. Or Gavin Newsom, frankly, who really doesn't mind being controversial.

COSTELLO: No, but I think it's an idea whose time is coming for other parts of the country, as well.

O'BRIEN: Carol, thank you very much.

HEMMER: You mentioned a busy morning. Indeed it is. Back to Glendale, California. This is what we know. Two commuter trains side-swiped one another in the suburbs of Glendale, California. Here comes one of the victims out of the train now. We were told through KABC, or at least KABC is reporting, anyway, that maybe 15 people may be trapped inside these trains.

It is early in L.A. This would be morning commuter traffic. Just about quarter to 7:00 in the morning with now the sun breaking through. KABC has our shot there. They are on the scene. 15 people are trapped. We may see more stretchers like these come out sometime very soon. We'll watch it for you. Again, out of Glendale, California. As we watch it now, there's a reporter also with our local affiliate out there.

Scott Reiff describes what he saw at the scene a short time ago. Here is Scott.

SCOTT REIFF, REPORTER, KABC: That train on its side. They are accessing it from the back of an industrial building with several fire units. On the bottom of your screen, you see the red, the green, the yellow, the green and the yellow. Those are the triages that are being set up already, as they try and get their patients to those areas. The red obviously, patients that are in critical condition, getting the doctor's immediate care.

Now, that's come out to that first train, that's laying on its side, where firefighters are using a ladder to get inside there just a moment ago. Someone inside that train car may be so injured they can't get out so firefighters have to get in quickly, they have to assess who they have, then they have get them out and get them to the triages.

Want to come out once again and give you an idea of the scope of what is happening here and how many train cars are involved. Tilt up with the camera. We looked at that train car there with all the damage. You see there's some smoke, it appears, from the right side of that train. We have not seen any fire. That may be steam, they smoke, it's almost impossible to tell.

I want to pull out quickly, before we go in tight, and show you how many cars are involved. Keep going to the right a little bit, Jamie (ph), and you're going to see that one train car on its side, then four more train cars back there. It's pretty dark. But they have also derailed. Firefighters are in there with their flashlights and they're trying to see how many people they have at that location as well. Let's come out back to the major portion of the crash and push into the train car that you just mentioned, the one on its side right there on the bottom of your screen, Jamie, and see if they are trying to pull someone out. It looks like they may be able to access that train car from the front there. It's just laying on its side. It's the other two train cars, if we come out for a moment and look at them, where we see the serious damage. Look at all the debris laying along the tracks. Look at the left side of that train -- I've got you inside as well -- And how badly it is.

And then come to the right and see this other car, that's just jack-knifed and went into the dirt there. You can see how the front end of that is ripped open. So we're still trying to get numbers on how many people were injured. That's certainly what firefighters and we are most concerned about, not the damage to these cars, but who was inside the cars and how they may have been hurt.

HEMMER: Again, Scott Reiff reporting there on the scene by way of helicopter. This is a body coming out. Again, live here. One the victims. We do not have any numbers, other than what KABC is reporting. They're saying they believe 15 may be trapped inside these trains. What we also do not know -- this is commuter traffic in the morning. We do not know the speed at which these trains were traveling at the point that they side-swiped one other.

Two Metrolink trains side-swiping each other as they were leaving downtown L.A. Morning commuter traffic. One headed for Burbank, one for headed for Moorpark. They believe 15 may be trapped. Metrolink is the commuter train system that connects a lot of the counties in Southern California, especially in the town of L.A. So that's what we know for now. Again, Scott Reiff, thanks, and the folks at KABC, for bringing us this report.

O'BRIEN: You mentioned the body coming out. We should emphasize a live body because -- with lots of movement. He just moved his hands. So hopefully, that's a very good sign for him. He maybe has minimal injuries. You know, as Scott, I think, pointed out very, very well as he moved the camera around. You can see, considering the fact that we're told that they side-swiped each other, the amount of damage, the extent of the damage, from being jackknifed, and then, of course the front-end damage to one of those cars is quite remarkable.

You can see the welders, or at least the light from the welders, while it was still dark, as they were obviously trying to cut their way in, to pull out some of those folks who may still be inside. He also mentioned that firefighters clearly had to lower themselves into some of these cars because if they -- the people who are stuck inside couldn't move, they're going to have to just drag them out, with the train especially that's laying on its side. Obviously very difficult to get out of.

Scott also pointed out the pictures of smoke. He said that it's unclear if it's some kind of steam or it's some kind of fire. Obviously, they are taking the best precautions to make sure that this accident doesn't get any worse than it already is. And we also have to point out that there's lots that we do not know about what happened here. Clearly. we do not know actually the extent or what the cause of the accident was in the first place. But obviously, some very serious damage and some injuries as well, to talk about.

HEMMER: Glendale's a suburb of L.A., just north of downtown, right near Hollywood, in fact. Associated Press is reporting that -- obviously the firefighters, going through the wreckage here. And you mentioned the smoke. If you're familiar with this part of California, it happened in an L.A. suburb, near San Fernando Road and Chevy Chase Boulevard. So that's the locator we have on this. But as you mention, also, they had to go quite a ways down into this area just to access it.

O'BRIEN: Yes. No question. We should mention that one of the trains, we're told, both trains, leaving downtown L.A., one heading to Burbank, the other heading to Moorpark. And of course, as we continue to cover the story, we'll get more information on the specific numbers of folks who have been trapped and who have been rescued by those firefighters.

You can see some of them in the scene. It was interesting to hear from Scott -- we could see from above the triage units and the different colors, the red and yellow. Red obviously being the most seriously injured, meaning the medics on the scene getting them as soon as possible because obviously some of those injuries, one has to imagine, are very very, severe.

HEMMER: You know, as we watch this -- let's get away from California for a moment, here. There's another developing story in Florida. This is near Tampa. Not much information on this. The pictures just coming to us now. That's an overturned school bus. Our affiliate WFTS bringing us these pictures, by way of helicopter also. Clearly, it's not in downtown. This is rural Tampa, Florida.

As people respond to this, and rescue crews, as well, what we're getting now is that 9 are injured as a result of this overturned school bus. It does not look like there's a whole lot of activity happening there now. Why that's the case, we do not know. But again, just outside of Tampa, Florida. WFTS reporting this school bus has overturned. At least half a dozen injured there. More on that when we get it, as well.

O'BRIEN: Well, let's take everybody back to California, where firefighters remain on the scene as they are trying to rescue some of those folks who may be trapped inside one of these Metrolink cars or several of the Metrolink cars. As you could see when the shot widens up, there are numerous cars, some of them turned on their side, others just really sort of crumpled or partially crumpled and others just completely derailed.

The two cars -- the two trains, we're told, side-swiped each other, one train leaving downtown L.A., heading to Burbank, another leaving downtown L.A. and heading for Moorpark. Early reports from our affiliate there was that were more than a dozen folks trapped inside. We've seen some people being removed.

We are assuming, at least the ones that we've seen being removed are in pretty good shape, because they were moving on the stretcher as the firefighters were able to bring them out. And as Bill pointed out, this is the suburban commuter area, so these are the folks who were heading into their offices this morning. Very busy commute for us to talk about. We've had numerous accidents to bring up to speed on.

HEMMER: We've got a little more information, too, on what's happening in Tampa, Florida. At least nine are injured, we're told now, when that school bus overturned. This is it right here. Hernando County, just outside of Tampa., Florida. There is one child now being air-lifted to a local hospital, St. Joe's, there in Tampa, Florida. So that's what we have on that.

As we watch both situations, one in Florida, one in California, one more reminder, here. We will see the president in about 8 minutes from now, live from the White House. He will be in the briefing room. We anticipate the president to take questions about what's happening in Iraq, four days away from that election. In fact, we're watching the room right now as the reporters get geared up there at the White House. And when that gets under way, we'll bring it to you. All this in light of the marines that were killed in that marine helicopter crash in western Iraq that we reported a bit earlier today.

O'BRIEN: Let's take everybody back to California. You're looking at these shots here, and you can see the firefighters still on the scene. You can see the way they are trying to -- if you can make it out -- bring those stretchers in through one of the windows of these metroliner cars, which cannot be easy to do. The firefighters obviously trying to get in because there have got to be folks inside who need to be brought out and cannot physically do it themselves.

We've seen a couple folks brought out already on stretchers. What we have seen, they've been moving, which is good news. No word yet though on exactly the extent of the injuries there. We did see some triage centers set up and we can visualize those that were being shot from above by a helicopter there. Red for the most seriously injured.

One has to imagine this is a -- has crippled the transportation system. Because as we mentioned, this is happening at a time when everybody's getting ready to go into work, on the West Coast, obviously, as we wrap up our commute here on the East Coast. And there is -- you know, I'm watching this metal thing on the right side of our screen and I'm curious to know if that was taken out when they derailed and hit each other or if that is in some way being used by the firefighters to try to access some of these people inside.

HEMMER: We associate morning commutes in L.A. with freeways and with automobiles. You do not normally think of trains for the normal mode of transportation, but they are commonly used. It's a train system that's continued to grow over the years as well. And this, taking place in Glendale, California, suburb just north of downtown L.A.

O'BRIEN: Look at the extent of the damage, there, as the shot remains on this window. Just looks like a massive scrape that has taken out and really punctured a very wide swath of that train, as the firefighters go in. This looks to be the most -- or one of the most seriously damaged cars, as we have seen in the wider shot. Numerous cars sort of spread around the tracks, not only derailed, but in some cases, jackknifed or just knocked off the tracks altogether.

This one, though, seems to be the focus of firefighters because there are clearly some folks inside that they are trying to get out. Maybe half a dozen or more firefighters appear to be on the scene of this Metrolink train or at least this particular car, as they try to access and get to the inside.

HEMMER: We saw at least two bodies being taken out by a stretcher. We're told through KABC, near the scene there today, at least 15 believed to be trapped there. This is what we know -- two commuter trains leaving downtown L.A. a short time ago, side-swiped one another in Glendale, California. One was headed for Burbank, one headed for Moorpark.

We do not know how many people are on board this commuter train. We do not know how many people have been injured. We do not know whether or not it is more than the number we reported through, 15. But quite clearly the evidence shows us that firefighters are going through this train, which would give us a strong indication that there are people still trapped inside the Metrolink.

O'BRIEN: You know, when you hear that they've side-swiped each other, we heard those reports early on, and then you see the actual extent of the damage, it almost looks like it's more than just side- swiping. I mean, it looks like -- you know, one has to imagine -- figure out what exactly happened that one train really ran into the side of the other train. More than a close call or more than even just kind of rubbing up against each other. If you look at the sight of the damage of that particular Metrolink car, and then, of course, knocking all the other cars off the tracks.

HEMMER: A little more information from the Associated Press. Reporting to the wires here that the trains appear to be operated by Union Pacific. Both have been derailed, we're told. Firefighters searching through derailed cars right now. They've also set up a command post in a nearby parking lot. Injured people apparently there in that parking lot can be seen lying on mats, awaiting treatment. Representatives from Union Pacific and Metrolink not immediately returning calls for comment. Again, this according to the A.P.

One Metrolink car appeared to be seen twisting backward by the force of the crash, which happened about 6:00 a.m. local time, which by our clock would have been about 55 minutes ago, local time in California. And as I mention, near the intersection of this L.A. suburb of Glendale, north of downtown Los Angeles. There is a lot we do not know. But we continue to collect a little bit of information here and there as we go throughout the morning.

O'BRIEN Look at the extent of the damage here. I mean, look at this debris that has come -- where, obviously, the brunt of the impact took place there between these two trains, the one that has been knocked over on its side. You can see a massive scrape along the side of the train and then jacknife. And then the second train heading the opposite direction, obviously.

Debris pretty incredible, considering the -- one would imagine that these are obviously designed so that the trains can pass each other, but not run into each other. Obviously, I'm sure if it's not already happening, an investigation will be under way to figure out what went wrong, why these two trains ended up hitting each other.

HEMMER: I think this report from the Associated Press could be quite telling, perhaps in the end, if this eyewitness report is indeed accurate, about the one car that had been seen to be twisting backward by the force of the crash. Does that indicate that this was more of a head-on situation or was it a true legitimate side-swipe? Questions we do not have answers for at this point.

The L.A. Fire Department now reporting that three are dead in this tangled wreckage that you're seeing in Glendale, California. Again, the Los Angeles Fire Department now saying that at least three are dead on the scene and many more injured, based on the number of stretchers we saw come out, just as our coverage has been under way here for the past 30 minutes. More on California, as we go throughout the morning -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Of course, we'll continue to update you on this story and all the other stories that seem to have broken in the last few minutes alone.

Let's head back to Suzanne Malveaux. She's at the White House this morning and we are literally just minutes away from President Bush, who is going to be talking to reporters from the briefing room this morning. Some people have called it a surprise news conference. Is this very unusual, Suzanne?

MALVEAUX: It is somewhat unusual, Soledad, to have a press briefing in the briefing room itself. Somewhat of a more casual atmosphere. I have to tell you, we got a head's up from one of our sources early this morning that this might have been afoot. So not completely a surprise, but certainly, perhaps, a good sign for many of us journalists who hope to see the president a lot more often in the second term.

What we are understanding is that it's going to start off by making brief remarks. He is essentially, of course, going to address what had happened in Iraq with the marines killed there this morning in that helicopter crash. We expect that, of course, he'll offer his condolences to the victims, as well as the families.

But he'll also make the larger point, the argument, that it is worth it in the end for the United States to be invested in Iraq's democracy. He will also talk about the importance of spreading democracy throughout the world. Now, what we understand is that he is going to be highlighting some of the things that he had addressed in the inauguration. He is going to be talking about the need for what he says is to basically stop tyranny around the world. Many people looking at that statement, wondering exactly what it was that he meant. Perhaps he'll make it more clear. But he will use some success stories. He'll talk about the successful elections in Afghanistan, saying that this is an example of a country that was once in turmoil, that terrorists had used, really, as a safe haven that now has turned around. He'll also talk about the recent Palestinian elections, the induction of Mahmoud Abbas as the new leadership, perhaps a new sign of Israeli/Palestinian negotiations moving forward. And of course, he'll also talk about the election in Ukraine, Yuschenko's victory overall.

One of the big questions that we anticipate that's going to happen in this press conference, of course, is the Iraq elections, just days away. This is really considered a credibility test for this president. He likes to talk about political capital. He certainly has put a lot of political capital in the success of Iraq elections. We have seen that there's still large pockets of violence in that country, a lot of people who look at this and believe, or ask, whether or not it will really be a legitimate process. That is something the president is going to have to answer to -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne at the White House. Suzanne Malveaux. We're going to check in with her, of course, throughout the morning.

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Aired January 26, 2005 - 09:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the breaking news in Iraq in a few moments. Again, 31 U.S. Marines are dead after a helicopter crash in western Iraq, part of the deadliest day for U.S. troops since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jeff Koinange is in Baghdad. General David Grange is on the telephone. We'll get to both men in a moment here -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Also President Bush is holding somewhat of a surprise news conference in just about 30 minutes. Reporters are obviously going to have lots of questions about Iraq. We'll also have more on what's behind this as we get a little bit closer to the president. We're told that he's going to be taking a look at his ambitious second-term agenda. We'll get more on that.

HEMMER: We'll get you out to California right now, Glendale, California, just north of downtown Los Angeles, just northeast of Hollywood. This is what we understand through KABC, our affiliate working this story in Glendale, two commuter trains apparently side- swiped each other. They are treating people at the scene. But we do not have number on this. We don't have much information after that. Two commuter trains sideswiping one another. When we get more, we'll pass it along to you. That's in California.

Now overseas in Baghdad, back to the breaking news, with 31 U.S. Marines dead. That helicopter going down the western part of the country, near the Jordanian border, a search and rescue team is on the scene. All of this happening about 18 hours ago. Jeff Koinange updates us now from the Iraqi capital.

Jeff, what have you learned?

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, we learned that the transport helicopter, a CH-53 Sea Stallion crashed 1:30 a.m. early, Baghdad time this morning. It crashed near the town of Ar Rutbah. That's in the Al Anbar province, in the very volatile Sunni Triangle. According to a spokesman from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 31 U.S. Marines are dead in that incident. He couldn't confirm the amount of injuries or whether how many Marines were actually on board that transport helicopter. He did say that a search and rescue team is on the scene as we speak, and that an investigation is being launched right away to determine, whether it was an hostile action or whether it was an accident -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Jeff, keep us posted there from Baghdad. Jeff Koinange there. Much more now with Soledad back here. O'BRIEN: All right, thanks, Bill. Earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, we spoke with retired Brigadier General David Grange on the phone. I asked him what kind of work the Marines were likely doing in that area, and whether he felt that the crash was a work of insurgents or a terrible accident.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: We don't know if it was a raid to actually hit a site or just moving troops back and forth to bring them to some remote sites for other type of operations, a local patrolling security presence. We don't know. And we don't know at this time whether it was an accident or hostile action that brought the aircraft down.

Helicopters are key to a battlefield like this. And it really gets you fast from point A to B to put the right troops in the right place at the right time of your choosing. But also it's also a very dangerous platform. And the sea stallion, I've been on them many times, is a good helicopter. They're getting a bit older, but it's a very heavy duty, heavy-lift helicopter.

O'BRIEN: Search and rescue teams, we are told, are on the ground now. Would that give you an indication as to potentially what might have happened and how long potentially could they be doing their work.

GRANGE: Well, the search-and-rescue teams are going to be tide to, do they have full accountability of everybody that was on the manifest that would be on that aircraft? And as always, this manifest used, the junior commanders and higher responsibility, who is on what airframe when they move people around. And the search and rescue, if it did crash and it may be over more than a spot area, it may have -- it may be a concern over bigger area from the crash. And so people are looking for maybe some missing troopers to provide immediate medical assistance, if need be, and to secure the area, if in case it is a hostile area, from enemy intrusion.

O'BRIEN: A terrible toll if you're talking about 31 Marines killed, the second deadliest incident was 17 killed, as you know, on November 15th when the Blackhawk went down in Mosul. Give me a sense of what you make of this, whether it's an accident or some kind of attack, at this time as Iraq heads to its elections, sir?

GRANGE: Well you know, helicopters are vulnerable to enemy ground fire, surface-to-air missiles and other means, even just you know, just normal direct-fire weapons. And you know, the aircraft normally fly very low and fast above the terrain features in order to avoid surface-to-air missiles.

But again, it's also a high probability that it could be an accident, because helicopters have accidents I think just about as much as they are brought down by enemy fire. So you know, it's hard to tell at this time, it could be 50/50.

(END VIDEOTAPE) O'BRIEN: That was retired Brigadier General David Grange, talking with us a little bit earlier this morning. The president is expected to address reporters in the briefing room at the White House. It's going to happen at the top of the hour in about 25 minutes. He is going to talk, we are told, about his ambitious second term agenda, but one has to expect that reporters will ask him questions, not only about this terrible incident, in Iraq with 31 Marines dead and 4 more in another incident, but also Iraq in general, as they head -- and are really just days away from the election there.

HEMMER: Let's get back to Southern California now, Soledad, Glendale, California. Put the picture up again. 6:35 local time there. This is what we're learning, Daryn Kagan is monitoring KABC down there at the CNN Center. This is what KABC is now reporting. Two metrolink trains sideswiped one another leaving downtown earlier today. This is just north of downtown L.A. One was headed for Burbank. One was headed for Moorpark (ph). They believe about 15 people are still trapped, trying to get to them at this point. Metrolink, by the way, is the commuter train system that runs through Southern California. It links counties like Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County. That's from KABC.

From the Associated Press, they're saying that firefighters are now searching through that rescue. We could see earlier smoke coming from the scene as well, from that twisted wreckage there. If you know the area at all, this is the suburbs of L.A., again, north of downtown, near San Fernando Road and Chevy Chase Boulevard. So that's about all we know now.

Reporters are on the scene. A number of fire officials as well, as you see the fire trucks roll through there. When we get more on this, we'll pass it along to you. But with the helicopter shot, that's about all we have right now -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: We've been talking about President Bush, and of course we're expecting to hear from the president in about 25 minutes. He's going to be talk to reporters in the briefing room. He's supposed to lay out his ambitious second-term agenda. His inaugural address was a little bit low on specifics, as those addresses tend to be. More on what is plans to say this morning. We also expect, of course, he's going to answer questions, or at least take questions, on this terrible incident in Iraq as well, with 31 Marines dead.

Let's go right to Suzanne Malveaux. She's at the White House for us this morning.

Suzanne, Let's begin first, before we get to this terrible incident in Iraq, let's talk about what the president says he's going to do this morning in the briefing room at 10:00.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, Soledad. It's somewhat unusual that it would be held in the briefing room, a little bit more of a casual setting. But this is his first official press conference of his second term. We're told he'll start off by making opening remarks. Of course, he's going to talk about the terrible incident in Iraq with those Marines killed, saying his heart goes out to the victims, as well as the families. But he will also make the case that it's well worth it for the United States to be invested in Iraq's democracy. He'll also of course talk about the upcoming elections in Iraq, just days away. And that despite the casualties, that this is something that's important for the U.S. and its allies to be invested in.

And then finally, we understand, he's going to lay out his second-term agenda very much like the inaugural address. He'll make the case that spreading democracy and ending tyranny around the world is a just cause, and he'll use examples of success. He'll talk about the successful elections in Afghanistan. He'll also talk about the Palestinian elections. Mahmoud Abbas becoming the new head of the Palestinian Authority. He'll also talk about Ukraine, Yuschenko, the fact that democracy prevailed there. He'll try to answer his critics and his skeptics, saying that he believes they can bridge allies, that he can make amends with some of those questions over strained relations over the Iraq war, that it is one of his priorities.

He will also of course talk about his domestic agenda. On the centerpiece of his domestic agenda, which has been very much in question, whether or not even the Republicans will support that, and that of course is the Social Security reform.

O'BRIEN: Because it's in the briefing room, Suzanne, that means that he will then follow up with questions reporters. One has to imagine reporters, in addition to all that you've laid out, are also going to be focused on this incident, and we're calling it that, because we don't know exactly what happened with the 31 Marines killed in Iraq. Is that fair to say?

MALVEAUX: Well, absolutely. We spoke with Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, who already said that the president is coming forward to hold this press conference not because of that incident, not to respond to that incident. That is something that they had been considering for sometime. But nevertheless, of course the president will make his views known that he will offer his condolences, but in the larger picture, he will say that this is just part of the cost what is necessary to bring forward democracy in that part of the world, and of course his larger vision that he says, to bring democracy in the larger region, the Middle East region, and how that it's not only important for those countries overseas, but also for the safety and security of the American people at home -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: That's going to be tough for those family members of those 31 Marines who are now dead, obviously, to hear, one has to imagine.

Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House for us this morning. Suzanne, thanks a lot. Of course the president, we're expecting to hear from him 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, in about 20 minutes, where, as Suzanne just mentioned, he'll talk about his second term agenda and then take questions, as well -- Bill.

HEMMER: Looking at this Web site here, Soledad. The marine aircraft wing, the 3rd marine aircraft wing, apparently out of San Diego, California. Not sure how long they've been stationed in Iraq. But that's where the Web site directs us, anyway. Also interesting to note, later today, no cause for this crash has been given, but what Chad was reporting, when the crash occurred, about the level of humidity in the western part of Iraq at that time. So maybe more from the Pentagon, too, and Barbara Starr on that as we go throughout the morning here.

In the meantime, back to the headlines. Here's Carol Costello with us in New York.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of breaking news this morning. We have an update on that semi -- that tractor trailer accident, the tractor trailer that went over the bridge in Maryland. I told you about it 20 minutes ago. Let's go right to the pictures now. This is near Savage, Maryland, in Howard County. That's about a half hour drive north of the Washington area.

And you can see the tractor trailer like over on its top. It's upside down. Apparently what happened, I-95 and a bridge is there. You can see it in your screen. You can see it on your screen right now. Apparently a dump truck was the other participant in this accident. Somehow this tractor trailer flipped over and flipped over the bridge. You see medevacs crews on the scene right now. They started to take the truck driver out of the truck, at least we think it was the truck driver. And then they stopped. And you can draw your own conclusions from there.

Now, beneath this bridge is the Patuxent River. And of course that's maybe causing some difficulty for rescue crews right now. Actually, you can see the stretcher right now. See it? It's going up over the bridge. I don't know if it's attached to a helicopter or not. It seems as if it would be, but I can't tell from that picture. We don't know the condition of the driver. But we hope he made it through alive. But we know there are multiple injuries in this crash. And when we get more information, of course, we will pass it along to you.

On to the rest of the day's news right now. The Senate Judiciary Committee is meeting right now to consider the nomination of Alberto Gonzales for attorney general. He's expected to win quick committee approval. And in about two hours, the full Senate is expected to take a final vote on Condoleezza Rice's nomination for secretary of state. Be sure to stay with CNN for live coverage of the vote, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern.

As we told you about earlier, President Bush will be holding a news conference on his plans for a second term. That's expected in about a half hour. Later today, the president meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus. This will be only the second official meeting between the president and the CBC. The two sides have had a somewhat strained relationship during the past four years.

And soon you may be seeing no smoking signs popping up in parks around San Francisco. City officials have passed a ban on smoking at all city-owned parks and other outdoor areas. Violators would risk fines from $100 to $500. Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law. So no smoking outdoors either in public places. O'BRIEN: Not surprising, coming from San Francisco, I got to say. Or Gavin Newsom, frankly, who really doesn't mind being controversial.

COSTELLO: No, but I think it's an idea whose time is coming for other parts of the country, as well.

O'BRIEN: Carol, thank you very much.

HEMMER: You mentioned a busy morning. Indeed it is. Back to Glendale, California. This is what we know. Two commuter trains side-swiped one another in the suburbs of Glendale, California. Here comes one of the victims out of the train now. We were told through KABC, or at least KABC is reporting, anyway, that maybe 15 people may be trapped inside these trains.

It is early in L.A. This would be morning commuter traffic. Just about quarter to 7:00 in the morning with now the sun breaking through. KABC has our shot there. They are on the scene. 15 people are trapped. We may see more stretchers like these come out sometime very soon. We'll watch it for you. Again, out of Glendale, California. As we watch it now, there's a reporter also with our local affiliate out there.

Scott Reiff describes what he saw at the scene a short time ago. Here is Scott.

SCOTT REIFF, REPORTER, KABC: That train on its side. They are accessing it from the back of an industrial building with several fire units. On the bottom of your screen, you see the red, the green, the yellow, the green and the yellow. Those are the triages that are being set up already, as they try and get their patients to those areas. The red obviously, patients that are in critical condition, getting the doctor's immediate care.

Now, that's come out to that first train, that's laying on its side, where firefighters are using a ladder to get inside there just a moment ago. Someone inside that train car may be so injured they can't get out so firefighters have to get in quickly, they have to assess who they have, then they have get them out and get them to the triages.

Want to come out once again and give you an idea of the scope of what is happening here and how many train cars are involved. Tilt up with the camera. We looked at that train car there with all the damage. You see there's some smoke, it appears, from the right side of that train. We have not seen any fire. That may be steam, they smoke, it's almost impossible to tell.

I want to pull out quickly, before we go in tight, and show you how many cars are involved. Keep going to the right a little bit, Jamie (ph), and you're going to see that one train car on its side, then four more train cars back there. It's pretty dark. But they have also derailed. Firefighters are in there with their flashlights and they're trying to see how many people they have at that location as well. Let's come out back to the major portion of the crash and push into the train car that you just mentioned, the one on its side right there on the bottom of your screen, Jamie, and see if they are trying to pull someone out. It looks like they may be able to access that train car from the front there. It's just laying on its side. It's the other two train cars, if we come out for a moment and look at them, where we see the serious damage. Look at all the debris laying along the tracks. Look at the left side of that train -- I've got you inside as well -- And how badly it is.

And then come to the right and see this other car, that's just jack-knifed and went into the dirt there. You can see how the front end of that is ripped open. So we're still trying to get numbers on how many people were injured. That's certainly what firefighters and we are most concerned about, not the damage to these cars, but who was inside the cars and how they may have been hurt.

HEMMER: Again, Scott Reiff reporting there on the scene by way of helicopter. This is a body coming out. Again, live here. One the victims. We do not have any numbers, other than what KABC is reporting. They're saying they believe 15 may be trapped inside these trains. What we also do not know -- this is commuter traffic in the morning. We do not know the speed at which these trains were traveling at the point that they side-swiped one other.

Two Metrolink trains side-swiping each other as they were leaving downtown L.A. Morning commuter traffic. One headed for Burbank, one for headed for Moorpark. They believe 15 may be trapped. Metrolink is the commuter train system that connects a lot of the counties in Southern California, especially in the town of L.A. So that's what we know for now. Again, Scott Reiff, thanks, and the folks at KABC, for bringing us this report.

O'BRIEN: You mentioned the body coming out. We should emphasize a live body because -- with lots of movement. He just moved his hands. So hopefully, that's a very good sign for him. He maybe has minimal injuries. You know, as Scott, I think, pointed out very, very well as he moved the camera around. You can see, considering the fact that we're told that they side-swiped each other, the amount of damage, the extent of the damage, from being jackknifed, and then, of course the front-end damage to one of those cars is quite remarkable.

You can see the welders, or at least the light from the welders, while it was still dark, as they were obviously trying to cut their way in, to pull out some of those folks who may still be inside. He also mentioned that firefighters clearly had to lower themselves into some of these cars because if they -- the people who are stuck inside couldn't move, they're going to have to just drag them out, with the train especially that's laying on its side. Obviously very difficult to get out of.

Scott also pointed out the pictures of smoke. He said that it's unclear if it's some kind of steam or it's some kind of fire. Obviously, they are taking the best precautions to make sure that this accident doesn't get any worse than it already is. And we also have to point out that there's lots that we do not know about what happened here. Clearly. we do not know actually the extent or what the cause of the accident was in the first place. But obviously, some very serious damage and some injuries as well, to talk about.

HEMMER: Glendale's a suburb of L.A., just north of downtown, right near Hollywood, in fact. Associated Press is reporting that -- obviously the firefighters, going through the wreckage here. And you mentioned the smoke. If you're familiar with this part of California, it happened in an L.A. suburb, near San Fernando Road and Chevy Chase Boulevard. So that's the locator we have on this. But as you mention, also, they had to go quite a ways down into this area just to access it.

O'BRIEN: Yes. No question. We should mention that one of the trains, we're told, both trains, leaving downtown L.A., one heading to Burbank, the other heading to Moorpark. And of course, as we continue to cover the story, we'll get more information on the specific numbers of folks who have been trapped and who have been rescued by those firefighters.

You can see some of them in the scene. It was interesting to hear from Scott -- we could see from above the triage units and the different colors, the red and yellow. Red obviously being the most seriously injured, meaning the medics on the scene getting them as soon as possible because obviously some of those injuries, one has to imagine, are very very, severe.

HEMMER: You know, as we watch this -- let's get away from California for a moment, here. There's another developing story in Florida. This is near Tampa. Not much information on this. The pictures just coming to us now. That's an overturned school bus. Our affiliate WFTS bringing us these pictures, by way of helicopter also. Clearly, it's not in downtown. This is rural Tampa, Florida.

As people respond to this, and rescue crews, as well, what we're getting now is that 9 are injured as a result of this overturned school bus. It does not look like there's a whole lot of activity happening there now. Why that's the case, we do not know. But again, just outside of Tampa, Florida. WFTS reporting this school bus has overturned. At least half a dozen injured there. More on that when we get it, as well.

O'BRIEN: Well, let's take everybody back to California, where firefighters remain on the scene as they are trying to rescue some of those folks who may be trapped inside one of these Metrolink cars or several of the Metrolink cars. As you could see when the shot widens up, there are numerous cars, some of them turned on their side, others just really sort of crumpled or partially crumpled and others just completely derailed.

The two cars -- the two trains, we're told, side-swiped each other, one train leaving downtown L.A., heading to Burbank, another leaving downtown L.A. and heading for Moorpark. Early reports from our affiliate there was that were more than a dozen folks trapped inside. We've seen some people being removed.

We are assuming, at least the ones that we've seen being removed are in pretty good shape, because they were moving on the stretcher as the firefighters were able to bring them out. And as Bill pointed out, this is the suburban commuter area, so these are the folks who were heading into their offices this morning. Very busy commute for us to talk about. We've had numerous accidents to bring up to speed on.

HEMMER: We've got a little more information, too, on what's happening in Tampa, Florida. At least nine are injured, we're told now, when that school bus overturned. This is it right here. Hernando County, just outside of Tampa., Florida. There is one child now being air-lifted to a local hospital, St. Joe's, there in Tampa, Florida. So that's what we have on that.

As we watch both situations, one in Florida, one in California, one more reminder, here. We will see the president in about 8 minutes from now, live from the White House. He will be in the briefing room. We anticipate the president to take questions about what's happening in Iraq, four days away from that election. In fact, we're watching the room right now as the reporters get geared up there at the White House. And when that gets under way, we'll bring it to you. All this in light of the marines that were killed in that marine helicopter crash in western Iraq that we reported a bit earlier today.

O'BRIEN: Let's take everybody back to California. You're looking at these shots here, and you can see the firefighters still on the scene. You can see the way they are trying to -- if you can make it out -- bring those stretchers in through one of the windows of these metroliner cars, which cannot be easy to do. The firefighters obviously trying to get in because there have got to be folks inside who need to be brought out and cannot physically do it themselves.

We've seen a couple folks brought out already on stretchers. What we have seen, they've been moving, which is good news. No word yet though on exactly the extent of the injuries there. We did see some triage centers set up and we can visualize those that were being shot from above by a helicopter there. Red for the most seriously injured.

One has to imagine this is a -- has crippled the transportation system. Because as we mentioned, this is happening at a time when everybody's getting ready to go into work, on the West Coast, obviously, as we wrap up our commute here on the East Coast. And there is -- you know, I'm watching this metal thing on the right side of our screen and I'm curious to know if that was taken out when they derailed and hit each other or if that is in some way being used by the firefighters to try to access some of these people inside.

HEMMER: We associate morning commutes in L.A. with freeways and with automobiles. You do not normally think of trains for the normal mode of transportation, but they are commonly used. It's a train system that's continued to grow over the years as well. And this, taking place in Glendale, California, suburb just north of downtown L.A.

O'BRIEN: Look at the extent of the damage, there, as the shot remains on this window. Just looks like a massive scrape that has taken out and really punctured a very wide swath of that train, as the firefighters go in. This looks to be the most -- or one of the most seriously damaged cars, as we have seen in the wider shot. Numerous cars sort of spread around the tracks, not only derailed, but in some cases, jackknifed or just knocked off the tracks altogether.

This one, though, seems to be the focus of firefighters because there are clearly some folks inside that they are trying to get out. Maybe half a dozen or more firefighters appear to be on the scene of this Metrolink train or at least this particular car, as they try to access and get to the inside.

HEMMER: We saw at least two bodies being taken out by a stretcher. We're told through KABC, near the scene there today, at least 15 believed to be trapped there. This is what we know -- two commuter trains leaving downtown L.A. a short time ago, side-swiped one another in Glendale, California. One was headed for Burbank, one headed for Moorpark.

We do not know how many people are on board this commuter train. We do not know how many people have been injured. We do not know whether or not it is more than the number we reported through, 15. But quite clearly the evidence shows us that firefighters are going through this train, which would give us a strong indication that there are people still trapped inside the Metrolink.

O'BRIEN: You know, when you hear that they've side-swiped each other, we heard those reports early on, and then you see the actual extent of the damage, it almost looks like it's more than just side- swiping. I mean, it looks like -- you know, one has to imagine -- figure out what exactly happened that one train really ran into the side of the other train. More than a close call or more than even just kind of rubbing up against each other. If you look at the sight of the damage of that particular Metrolink car, and then, of course, knocking all the other cars off the tracks.

HEMMER: A little more information from the Associated Press. Reporting to the wires here that the trains appear to be operated by Union Pacific. Both have been derailed, we're told. Firefighters searching through derailed cars right now. They've also set up a command post in a nearby parking lot. Injured people apparently there in that parking lot can be seen lying on mats, awaiting treatment. Representatives from Union Pacific and Metrolink not immediately returning calls for comment. Again, this according to the A.P.

One Metrolink car appeared to be seen twisting backward by the force of the crash, which happened about 6:00 a.m. local time, which by our clock would have been about 55 minutes ago, local time in California. And as I mention, near the intersection of this L.A. suburb of Glendale, north of downtown Los Angeles. There is a lot we do not know. But we continue to collect a little bit of information here and there as we go throughout the morning.

O'BRIEN Look at the extent of the damage here. I mean, look at this debris that has come -- where, obviously, the brunt of the impact took place there between these two trains, the one that has been knocked over on its side. You can see a massive scrape along the side of the train and then jacknife. And then the second train heading the opposite direction, obviously.

Debris pretty incredible, considering the -- one would imagine that these are obviously designed so that the trains can pass each other, but not run into each other. Obviously, I'm sure if it's not already happening, an investigation will be under way to figure out what went wrong, why these two trains ended up hitting each other.

HEMMER: I think this report from the Associated Press could be quite telling, perhaps in the end, if this eyewitness report is indeed accurate, about the one car that had been seen to be twisting backward by the force of the crash. Does that indicate that this was more of a head-on situation or was it a true legitimate side-swipe? Questions we do not have answers for at this point.

The L.A. Fire Department now reporting that three are dead in this tangled wreckage that you're seeing in Glendale, California. Again, the Los Angeles Fire Department now saying that at least three are dead on the scene and many more injured, based on the number of stretchers we saw come out, just as our coverage has been under way here for the past 30 minutes. More on California, as we go throughout the morning -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Of course, we'll continue to update you on this story and all the other stories that seem to have broken in the last few minutes alone.

Let's head back to Suzanne Malveaux. She's at the White House this morning and we are literally just minutes away from President Bush, who is going to be talking to reporters from the briefing room this morning. Some people have called it a surprise news conference. Is this very unusual, Suzanne?

MALVEAUX: It is somewhat unusual, Soledad, to have a press briefing in the briefing room itself. Somewhat of a more casual atmosphere. I have to tell you, we got a head's up from one of our sources early this morning that this might have been afoot. So not completely a surprise, but certainly, perhaps, a good sign for many of us journalists who hope to see the president a lot more often in the second term.

What we are understanding is that it's going to start off by making brief remarks. He is essentially, of course, going to address what had happened in Iraq with the marines killed there this morning in that helicopter crash. We expect that, of course, he'll offer his condolences to the victims, as well as the families.

But he'll also make the larger point, the argument, that it is worth it in the end for the United States to be invested in Iraq's democracy. He will also talk about the importance of spreading democracy throughout the world. Now, what we understand is that he is going to be highlighting some of the things that he had addressed in the inauguration. He is going to be talking about the need for what he says is to basically stop tyranny around the world. Many people looking at that statement, wondering exactly what it was that he meant. Perhaps he'll make it more clear. But he will use some success stories. He'll talk about the successful elections in Afghanistan, saying that this is an example of a country that was once in turmoil, that terrorists had used, really, as a safe haven that now has turned around. He'll also talk about the recent Palestinian elections, the induction of Mahmoud Abbas as the new leadership, perhaps a new sign of Israeli/Palestinian negotiations moving forward. And of course, he'll also talk about the election in Ukraine, Yuschenko's victory overall.

One of the big questions that we anticipate that's going to happen in this press conference, of course, is the Iraq elections, just days away. This is really considered a credibility test for this president. He likes to talk about political capital. He certainly has put a lot of political capital in the success of Iraq elections. We have seen that there's still large pockets of violence in that country, a lot of people who look at this and believe, or ask, whether or not it will really be a legitimate process. That is something the president is going to have to answer to -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne at the White House. Suzanne Malveaux. We're going to check in with her, of course, throughout the morning.

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