GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Amtrak reports that one of its passenger trains struck a vehicle on the tracks between Kings Mountain and Bessemer City.
The incident happened just before 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, near Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Highway near Lewis Farm Road. This is a little over a mile from the county line.
“More damage (was) done to the actual tractor-trailer,” said Tryonota Fire Deputy Chief Nick Lane. “There was a fuel leak so we had to contact Gastonia Hazmat to come out and mitigate that leak. Also had a small leak of the product in the back (milk) which was contained, and a little bit of damage to the front of the train, but not much. The railroad is on scene taking care of that situation.”
Officials say the driver of the tractor-trailer safely got out of the vehicle before the crash. The vehicle may have gotten stuck on the tracks, Deputy Chief Lane says.
According to the company’s website, Amtrak Train 20 is traveling from New Orleans, Louisiana, to New York City, New York, with stops in Gastonia and Charlotte.
Amtrak says all 113 passengers and crew on board the train were uninjured. In a message to passengers, the company said to expect a “lengthy delay.”
On February 11, Amtrak Train 20 was traveling from New Orleans to New York at approx. 4:50 a.m. when a vehicle obstructing the track came into contact with the train in Bessemer City. There have been no reported injuries to the 113 passengers or crew onboard. Amtrak is working with state and local law enforcement to investigate the incident.
Amtrak spokeperson
Around 7:30 a.m. the train left the crash site; however, crews are still investigating on scene.
“It’s going to be an extensive operation, I think, says Deputy Chief Lane. “It’ll probably be closed for several hours until they get their investigation because it’s still an ongoing investigation.”
