A train and a fire truck collided in Delray Beach, Florida, leaving 15 individuals injured, including three firefighters.
The incident occurred on Saturday, December 28, when a Brightline train struck a Delray Beach Fire Rescue ladder truck. The Fire Rescue and Police Department shared details of the accident through a Facebook post.
According to the report, three firefighters were taken to a local hospital and are now in stable condition. Additionally, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue assisted in transporting 12 passengers from the train, who suffered minor injuries.
The firefighters were responding to an emergency call when the collision happened near East Atlantic Avenue and Railroad Avenue around 10:45 a.m.
Brightline later released video footage showing the fire truck on the tracks right before the crash. In the video, viewers can see the moments leading up to the impact. Alongside the footage, Brightline emphasized the importance of railroad safety, urging people not to drive around crossing gates when they are down.
Authorities, including the Delray Beach Police, Brightline officials, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating the cause of the collision. They are particularly examining whether the crossing gates were working correctly at the time of the accident.
Passengers aboard the train described the incident as sudden. One passenger shared his experience, noting that he felt an initial brake just before the impact. He remarked that it was a surprising way to wrap up the holiday season. Thankfully, he credited an overhead table with preventing more severe injuries during the crash.
The community remains concerned as investigations continue, highlighting the need for better safety protocols at train crossings.
