LAKELAND, Fla. — Seven people were injured when an Amtrak train that departed from South Florida partially derailed Friday night in Lakeland after it was involved in a crash with a car transporter, authorities said.
The incident occurred at about 7 p.m. near Lake Parker Drive and Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland.
During a late evening news conference, Lakeland Assistant Police Chief Steven Pacheco said a truck carrying eight cars was stopped on the tracks at the time of the crash.
"Amtrak Train 92 was damaged after it came into contact with a truck-trailer combination obstructing the track at a grade crossing," Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said in an email. "The leading locomotive lost contact with the track."
There were 163 passengers and 10 crew members on the train.
The train originated from Miami, had just stopped in Tampa and was traveling on to New York along the CSX-owned tracks, Woods said.
Seven people were taken to a nearby hospital, but their injuries were not considered life-threatening, Lakeland Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Busby said.
"This could have been a lot worse," Pacheco said.
Pacheco added that he believes it will be a "lengthy" process to remove the debris.
"There are multiple cars stuck underneath the train," he said. "The whole semi-truck is demolished."
Passengers were placed onto Polk County school buses and taken to a shelter area for refreshments until they could be taken back to Tampa for further travel arrangements, officials said.
