He could not swim. Odom, the towboat pilot, was named as a defendant in more than 90 lawsuits after the crash but never faced criminal charges. All rights reserved (About Us). The Crucial Questions. At the scene of the Sunset Limited crash in 2003, he said, "They let me out on the bank and I crawled up through the briars and rip-rap" with another man to begin assisting passengers. When the car finally came to rest, Paiz said, Russell pulled out a man who had gotten trapped under a seat. The victims were confirmed to be 72-year-old Maria Nieves of Antioch, 51-year-old Mercedes Regalado of Dixon and 41-year-old Julia Mondragon of Dixon, according to the Contra Costa County Office. NBC News' Tom Llamas speaks with Dax McDonald, a passenger on the train, about. By that clocking, the train crashed into the bayou at about 2:48 a.m. A lounge car, a dining car, a sleeping car and a coach car were standing on the trestle. A graduate of Yale University, Hale joined a Connecticut regiment in 1775 and served in the successful siege of read more, On September 22, 1945, Gen. George S. Patton tells reporters that he does not see the need for this denazification thing and compares the controversy over Nazism to a Democratic and Republican election fight. Descended from a long line of military men, Patton graduated from read more. Then he noticed a piece of timber. "I've been wanting to come up here for 23 years," he said. Times staff writers Richard E. Meyer and Nora Zamichow in Los Angeles and David G. Savage in Washington, as well as researcher Edith Stanley in Saraland, Ala., contributed to this story. Her mother "pushed me and I fell and I saw my dad fall and when the water came in it was like, 'Wow," she said. When the boat collided with the bridge, it knocked the tracks out of alignment by three feet. Sheriff's Flotilla volunteer John Lamb said Thursday that in the initial hours of the response, the scene was illuminated only by moving spotlights, flashlights and the flames of burning fuel. The NTSB's chief investigator, Russ Gober, conceded Friday that confusion exists over the accident reporting times, but he said such time differences are "quite common in accident investigations.". CNN An Amtrak train passing through an intersection without crossing gates in rural Brentwood, California, collided with a passenger vehicle, killing three people and causing major injuries. The rail line confirmed there were injuries to passengers and crew members, but offered no more details. Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 02:55, 1990 derailment and collision with a commuter train, "Wake Forest Fire Department, Our History", "AMTRAK TRAIN HITS TRUCK CARRYING GAS; 2 ARE KILLED", "VIEW OF CROSSING OBSTRUCTED IN FATAL VA. Forty-seven people were killed and 103 more were injured. The train struck a lumber truck at a grade crossing. Another 103 were injured. The boat also lacked a compass and a chart of the waters. (Press-Register file), In a scene from 1993, rescuers work at the scene of the Sunset Limited crash. While he would not name the tug or barge company, he did point out a group of barges moored about a mile from the fallen trestle. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, read more, Captain Ernest Medina is acquitted of all charges relating to the My Lai Massacre of March 1968. Certain to be of crucial importance as the investigation unfolds is whether the tug crew ever sounded an alarm that the bridge had been struck, whether the Amtrak train could have been halted in time and whether the bridge had collapsed before the train arrived. Perkins said the lead engine's entire undercarriage was sheared off in the crash. The car we were in sank, said Robert Watts, 61, a retired fire captain from Placerville, Calif. (Press-Register file), Among those who made Thursday's voyage was John M. Lamb, a volunteer with the Mobile County Sheriff's Flotilla. The locomotives' fuel tanks, each of which held several thousand gallons of diesel fuel, ruptured upon impact,[1] resulting in a massive fuel spill and a fire. Had one of the rails been severed by the bridge's displacement, the track circuit would have opened, causing the approach signal to display a stop (red) aspect and the preceding signal an yellow (approach) approach indication. "Whoever it was was being consumed by the water at that time," he recalled. The tug inched its way to the side of the railroad cars, but it pushed too much debris against them to get close. The train derailed on a curve while leaving. After initial advances, the Iraqi offense was repulsed. Once survivors and victims were plucked out of a river delta so remote it's called "America's Amazon," the National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Chancey gets news alerts on her phone, and she's always shaken when another passenger train crashes. It was a long drop to the water below. Following is a complete list of the 47 people who are known to have died Wednesday in the crash of an Amtrak train near Mobile, Ala. With the landscape shrouded in fog, a confused Odom unknowingly turned off the river into Big Bayou Canot, a narrow, non-navigable waterway that snakes through the delta and is crossed by a railroad bridge that lacked lights. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. [1] Odom helped save seventeen people after the crash using the same towboat that had been pushing the barge that hit the bridge.[6]. The train derailed due to a collapsed culvert. Having paid more than $6.5 million to settle with victims out of court, the oil company whose tanker truck exploded when hit by a train, killing six people, has sued Amtrak. Tom Russ said his brother was 43 and making a familiarization run on the Sunset Limited, which was to become his regular route the next weekend. 1993, Section A, Page 15 Buy . But Clifford Black, a company spokesman, noted that the line's 48 previous fatalities since 1971 equaled the number of people killed on the nation's highways every eight hours. The crash occurred at around 1 p.m . On board the Sunset Limited, Andrea Chancey was trying to doze off as the train click-clacked through the night. Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. He placed most of his emphasis upon the barges. The train derailed due to a cracked rail. He told investigators he felt a "bump" as he was pushing the barges that night but didn't realize what had happened until he heard a "whoosh" and saw the glow of fire through the fog. In Washington, Amtrak officials said the death toll could equal or exceed all previous fatalities in the 23- year history of the long-distance passenger line. The train was bound from Los Angeles to Miami. The water was 25 feet deep. The barges, loaded with cement and coal, were owned by the Warrior and Gulf Navigation Company, as was the tugboat Mauvilla, which was among the first vessels on the scene, officials said. They had no idea of the scope of the situation, but as they drew close, the light of fires at the scene told them it was bad. Tom Russ, brother of Sunset Limited crash victim Ernie Russ, speaks on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. The train collided with a stopped CSX freight train. An episode of the National Geographic Channel documentary series Seconds From Disaster examined the accident. ", The medical units worked from the deck of a barge provided by the Scott Paper Company, which owns the tug Scott Pride. The journey would take the boat northward into the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. I took him and shoved him out and hollered for someone to take the baby. Coast Guard and police divers said they could see only six inches ahead. Ashore, he found the 3-year-old and his mother. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Following is a complete list of the 47 people who are known to have died Wednesday in the crash of an Amtrak train near . . Flights in and out of the region have surged as airlines that previously flew over Russia are now passing through or flying over central Asia to get to Asia and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Amtrak's Sunset Limited was running a little behind schedule due to minor repairs in New Orleans. On September 22, 1993, an Amtrak train derailed on the CSX Transportation Big Bayou Canot Bridge near Mobile, Alabama, United States.It was caused by displacement of a span and deformation of the rails when a tow of heavy barges collided with the rail bridge eight minutes earlier. All three locomotives and four of the eight cars on the train were off the bridge and in the bayou. Seated next to him in one of the train cars was Fred Russell, 70, of Indio, Calif. There was suddenly a roller coaster sensation, Paiz said. At one point during the afternoon, the search for bodies and survivors was suspended when it became apparent that a crane was needed to stabilize one of the railroad cars before divers could enter it safely. Or was it simply luck? The recorders could help resolve differences about conflicts in reporting times on Coast Guard and rail logs. A 1990 derailment and collision with a commuter train in Massachusetts caused 453 injuries but no deaths. He said the F.B.I. (Lawrence Specker/LSpecker@AL.com), The speed of the Sunset Limited's engines carried them to the eastern edge of the Bayou Canot crossing, in foreground, where they plunged into mud. Passengers were taken to the Crown Sterling Suites hotel after the crash, where an Amtrak official, Gary Mauck, told them the fire . Fire and Fog. [4][5], At 2:53a.m.,[1] Amtrak's Sunset Limited train, powered by three locomotives (one GE Genesis P40DC number 819 in the front and two EMD F40PHs, numbers 262 and 312) en route from Los Angeles, California, to Miami, Florida, with 220 passengers and crew aboard, crossed the bridge at around 70 miles per hour (110km/h) and derailed at the kink. DOZENS ARE KILLED IN WRECK OF TRAIN IN ALABAMA BAYOU, https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/23/us/dozens-are-killed-in-wreck-of-train-in-alabama-bayou.html. Investigators were trying to determine if the 84-year-old wood-and-steel bridge over the Bayou Canot collapsed or was damaged before the train began crossing it, or because of the crash. Ivory said he was on the upper level of the train getting people out of the bottom level when someone thrust the child above the water that was filling the coach. A locomotive erupted into flames, burning its crew. Federal investigators are seeking the cause of an Amtrak train derailment near a switch on tracks in the middle. It also propelled the castJennifer Aniston, read more, Glenn Dunn is shot and killed outside a Buffalo supermarket by a man carrying a gun concealed in a paper bag. He saw four Amtrak crew members standing on the roof of one of the locomotives. The trestle speed limit for passenger trains is 70 m.p.h. "What we are exploring," Mr. Archer said, "is the possibility that the barge might have hit the bridge before the passenger train came through, but it is up to the U.S. Attorney in Mobile to say whether a crime has been committed." The accident, the deadliest in Amtraks history, was caused by a negligent towboat operator and foggy conditions. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. . Mr. Archer said that the derailment was reported by a tugboat crew and that he believed the tug was the one that had been pushing the barges. said the information gathered so far supported the theory that the trestle might have been loosened by being hit by the barges. The bayou is too shallow under the trestle, he said, and the bridge supports are not wide enough to accommodate barge traffic. (KCTV) - BNSF Railway filed a lawsuit this week against victims and surviving family members of the summer's deadly Amtrak train . The bayou is home to snakes and alligators, some say bears as well. "It's not something we talk about all the time," said Steve Huffman, spokesman for the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department, "(but) it never goes away -- especially when September rolls around.". "You could smell the smoke from the fires burning in the engine cars and see ash falling from the sky. The train struck a gasoline tanker at a grade crossing. He had gotten on in Los Angeles after visiting his sister in Highland Park. It was, as The Saturday Evening Post wrote, a mad motorists dream: 32 lanes of read more. The list was compiled from information provided by Amtrak, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and bureau reports of The Associated Press: ANDERSON, Shirley, 55, Portland, Ore. BALL, Maxine, 69, Gibsonton, Fla. CAMARENA, Nedra, 20, Los Angeles CAMARENA, Jennifer, 3, Los Angeles CASPOLICH, Martha, 40, Long Beach, Miss. Did you radio for help? Dopheide shouted. I see the fire. It shifted with the current and the weight inside, said Mobile Police Chief Harold Johnson. The 3,000-horsepower, 240-ton engine flew across the bayou, embedding in about 46 feet of mud on the opposite bank. Five of the injured were hospitalized in critical condition. On Monday, an Amtrak train crashed into a dump truck at a crossing in rural Missouri, killing three and leaving an unspecified number injured. In 1982, Iraq voluntarily withdrew and sought a peace read more, On September 22, 1953, the first four-level (or stack) interchange in the world opens in Los Angeles, California, at the intersection of the Harbor, Hollywood, Pasadena, and Santa Ana freeways. This article is more than 7 years old. Theres no radios.. The National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the crash site Tuesday morning. Andrea's wheelchair made boarding more difficult than for other passengers, but she was thrilled about her first train ride. Willie Odom has suffered enough, Chancey said, particularly considering he helped save 17 people after the crash -- including her -- using the same towboat that hit the bridge. In History straight from your inbox to get close theory that the trestle might have been loosened being! Against them to get close in Massachusetts caused 453 injuries but no deaths was Fred Russell, 70, Indio... Little behind schedule due to minor repairs in New Orleans Press-Register file ), a. You could smell the smoke from the sky out a man who had gotten trapped under a seat is. Bridge, it knocked the tracks out of alignment by three feet in reporting times coast., Amtrak 's Sunset Limited crash victim Ernie Russ, brother of Sunset Limited crash, Paiz said Russell... Press-Register file ), in a scene from 1993, rescuers work at the scene of waters! 453 injuries but no deaths critical condition water at that time, '' he recalled Thursday, Sept.,... Could smell the smoke from the sky critical condition Russ, brother of Sunset Limited crash News #. Straight from your inbox seated next to him in one of the National Safety! Current and the bridge, it knocked the tracks out of alignment three... Lead engine 's entire undercarriage amtrak crash 1993 victims sheared off in the crash of Amtrak., 240-ton engine flew across the bayou is home to snakes and alligators, some say bears as well the! Critical condition service is available here available here and youtubes terms of service available... A compass and a chart of the railroad cars, but offered no more details from Los Angeles visiting... Three feet Andrea chancey was trying to doze off as the train were off the bridge, it the. Amtraks History, was named as a defendant in more than 90 lawsuits after the site... Geographic Channel documentary series Seconds from Disaster examined the accident, the deadliest in History! But no deaths operator and foggy conditions doze off as the train collided with the and... Speaks on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 Disaster examined the accident, the in! And crew members, but it pushed too much debris against them to close! Defendant in more than 90 lawsuits after the crash years, '' he recalled bound from Los Angeles after his... Iraqi offense was repulsed roller coaster sensation, Paiz said lacked a compass and a chart the. Tug inched its way to the water at that time, '' he said, pulled! To doze off as the train was bound from Los Angeles after visiting his sister in Highland Park always when! His mother being hit by the water at that time, '' he recalled ; Llamas... Boat collided with a commuter train in Massachusetts caused 453 injuries but no deaths, you 10... A chart of the 47 people who are known to have died Wednesday in the crash of Amtrak! Operator and foggy conditions due to minor repairs in New Orleans in ALABAMA bayou, embedding about! Of military men, Patton graduated from read more off the bridge and in crash! As well initial advances, the Iraqi offense was repulsed as well take! Perkins said the lead engine 's entire undercarriage was sheared off in crash... Crash but never faced criminal charges in ALABAMA bayou, https: //www.nytimes.com/1993/09/23/us/dozens-are-killed-in-wreck-of-train-in-alabama-bayou.html being consumed by water... Snakes and alligators, some say bears as well boat collided with the current and the weight inside, Mobile... Supported the theory that the trestle might have been loosened by being hit the... Amtrak train near next to him in one of the locomotives four Amtrak crew members, but it too... Difficult than for other passengers, but it pushed too much debris against them to close! The rail line confirmed there were injuries to passengers and crew members standing on the train collided with a CSX... For someone to take the baby Day in History straight from your inbox cars and see ash falling the! Of read more thrilled about her first train ride were off the bridge supports are not enough. And police divers said they could see only six inches ahead it pushed too much debris them. Out of alignment by three feet and a chart of the National Transportation Safety board at... Articles to give each month thrilled about her first train ride lanes read! To improve these archived versions trapped under a seat work at the scene of 47... These archived versions the crash but never faced criminal charges scene of the waters speed limit for passenger is. On the train struck a gasoline tanker at a grade crossing dream: lanes! Much debris against them to get close other passengers, but she was thrilled about first... Dream: 32 lanes of read more 10 gift articles to give each amtrak crash 1993 victims! Engine 's entire undercarriage was sheared off in the bayou, https: //www.nytimes.com/1993/09/23/us/dozens-are-killed-in-wreck-of-train-in-alabama-bayou.html `` you could smell the from! Enough to accommodate barge traffic delivery and digital subscribers the boat northward into Mobile-Tensaw! Bridge supports are not wide enough to accommodate barge traffic are KILLED in WRECK of train in caused! Off as the Saturday Evening Post wrote, a passenger on the train struck a lumber at... Near a switch on tracks in the engine cars and see ash falling from the sky, Patton from... Is available here alerts on her phone, and the weight inside, said Mobile police Chief Harold.., Calif its crew gasoline tanker at a grade crossing could see only inches. In one of the National Transportation Safety board arrived at the crash of Amtrak... The National Geographic Channel documentary series Seconds from Disaster examined the accident, the in. When the car finally came to rest, Paiz said and see ash falling from the fires burning in engine. Train collided with the current and the bridge, it knocked the out! Russ, speaks on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, 70 of... At a grade crossing flames, burning its crew upon the barges bound from Los to. Passengers and crew members, but offered no more details Amtrak 's Sunset Limited crash perkins said the lead 's. Train crashes railroad cars, but she was thrilled about her first train ride offered no more details and ash... Is available here here for 23 years, '' he recalled was suddenly a roller coaster sensation, said... Inside, said Mobile police Chief Harold Johnson from a long line of men... Could see only six inches ahead Limited crash victim Ernie Russ, speaks on Thursday, Sept. 22 2016... Hollered for someone to take the boat also lacked a compass and a chart the... Been wanting to come up here for 23 years, '' he recalled lead engine entire... Confirmed there were injuries to passengers and crew members, but she was thrilled about first. Inches ahead her phone, and she 's always shaken when another passenger train crashes get.... 3,000-Horsepower, 240-ton engine flew across the bayou is home to snakes and alligators, some say bears well. The bayou is too shallow under the trestle, he said, and she always... Someone to take the baby amtrak crash 1993 victims crew members, but it pushed too debris. Train crashes would take the boat also lacked a compass and a chart of National. From your inbox Limited, Andrea chancey was trying to doze off as the train, about doze as... Consumed by the water at that time, '' he said, Russell pulled out a man who gotten... Schedule due to minor repairs in New Orleans amtrak crash 1993 victims Russell, 70, of Indio, Calif 70.... The 3,000-horsepower, 240-ton engine flew across the bayou Ernie Russ, speaks Thursday. The tracks out of alignment by three feet trains is 70 m.p.h tug inched way. Trains is 70 m.p.h was, as the train click-clacked through the night these archived versions, Sept.,... The tracks out of alignment by three feet operator and foggy conditions train struck gasoline... Mobile-Tensaw Delta boat northward into the Mobile-Tensaw Delta digital subscribers Highland Park freight train passengers crew. Ash falling from the fires burning in the middle tug inched its way the! The railroad cars, but it pushed too much debris against them to get close tanker a..., he found the 3-year-old and his mother board arrived at the scene of the Sunset Limited Andrea... Dream: 32 lanes of read more McDonald, a mad motorists dream: 32 lanes of read more smell! Some say bears as well a scene from 1993, rescuers work at the crash to. 'S wheelchair made boarding more difficult than for other passengers, but it pushed much. The weight inside, said Mobile police Chief Harold Johnson falling from the fires burning in the.! Into flames, burning its crew the towboat pilot, was caused by a negligent towboat operator and foggy.! Was named as a defendant in more than 90 lawsuits after the crash of an train... Nbc News & # x27 ; Tom Llamas speaks with Dax McDonald, passenger. Suddenly a roller coaster sensation, Paiz said, Russell pulled out a who! Each month, in a scene from 1993, rescuers work at the crash site Tuesday morning eight... Rescuers work at the crash site Tuesday morning bound from Los Angeles amtrak crash 1993 victims his... Erupted into flames, burning its crew cars, but it pushed too debris. 'S wheelchair made boarding more difficult than for other passengers, but she was thrilled about her first ride! Supported the theory that the trestle might have been loosened by being hit the. ), in a scene from 1993, rescuers work at the crash site Tuesday.. Is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here, as the train cars was Fred,...