Return to Transcripts main page

Breaking News

Three People Dead After Train Collision

Aired April 23, 2002 - 14:01   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We're also monitoring this breaking news close to Anaheim, California. It's actually in Placentia, California, that's southern California, a commuter train collision. The AP is reporting that three people have died in this train collision. We have not confirmed that number.

But this is what we have confirmed and what we can tell you: that a commuter train collided head-on with a freight train during the morning rush hour this morning, killing one person, injuring at least 265 people, including at least 70 people who were taken to various trauma centers.

The fatality occurred aboard the Metrolink commuter train. That train system serves southern California. A number of people take that train to and from work on a regular basis. We're told the trains collided in Placentia. As I said, that's in southern California. It happened about 8:16 California time, just north of Anaheim Canyon station.

The commuter train was traveling south from Riverside to San Juan Capistrano. Now, it wasn't clear whether both trains or just one were moving at the time of the collision. But we are told there could have been up to 400 people on this commuter train when indeed it crashed. And we have word now from someone that was on the train. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It took a second to even know what happened. And the noise, and you flying around. The next thing you know, you know, the train is in a different shape and people are bruised and bloodied. But -- I guess the best part about it is that -- all the passengers immediately drew together. And I thought that was really great.

Everybody was checking to make sure who was hurt, offering rides to people who need them, things like that. So I think that even though it was a traumatic experience, it brings the best out of people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Positive words from someone right there with bumps and bruises and scrapes on his head, who survived this train collision. Once again, a commuter train colliding head-on with a freight train this morning during rush hour, killing one person, possibly three people. We're working to confirm that. It has injured at least 265 people, including another 70-75 people that were taken to various trauma centers in the area.

This happened in Placentia, California. That's not far from Anaheim, not far from Los Angeles. Metrolink train, which daily takes folks to and from work. This one was going from Riverside, leaving Riverside, going to San Juan Capistrano. Train No. 809, now I'm told. No. 809.

We'll continue to follow this and monitor this and bring you new information as we get it. We are expecting a 2:30 news conference. We'll will bring that to you as soon as it happens.

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