2 injured in Amtrak train collision with excavator in East Oakland; diesel fuel spilled
OAKLAND -- Oakland fire crews are on scene after a collision between an Amtrak train and an excavator left two people injured in the area of 50th Avenue and East 8th Street.
The Oakland Fire Department tweeted about the incident shortly before 12 p.m., but initial reports on the Citizen app indicated the collision happened at around 11:15 a.m.
The Capitol Corridor Twitter account reported a delay due to a disabled train in the same area at the same time.
Posts on the Citizen app said that the train had crashed into a tractor that was on the tracks, overturning the vehicle. The driver reportedly had to be extracted from the tractor. The train that hit the tractor was later confirmed to be an Amtrak train.
Video from Chopper 5 showed the wreckage of what appeared to be an excavator or backhoe lying on its side at the edge of the train tracks.
Oakland Fire initially said that at least one person was injured. Oakland fire spokesman Michael Hunt later confirmed person was clearing the train tracks of debris with a front loader when the train struck the front loader. The victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
A second person who was on the train was also injured. It was unclear whether the person was a passenger or a worker on the train, Hunt said.
Fire officials later confirmed that the department's HazMat team was deployed by the incident commander in order to assess reports of a 1,200-gallon diesel tank at the scene "and it's potential impacts." The tank was reportedly from the train.
Between 100-700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled when a tank on the train ruptured, Hunt said. He said the leak has been plugged.
Oakland police were also reportedly on the scene assisting with traffic control Police were diverting northbound traffic at 50th Ave and Coliseum Way as well as westbound traffic at 50th Ave and San Leandro Street.
An Amtrak mechanical team and hazardous materials teams from Amtrak and the Oakland Fire Department are on the scene.
Rail traffic is stopped in both directions, Hunt said. He said people should avoid 50th Avenue between Coliseum Way and San Leandro Street.
The Capitol Corridor Twitter account said that due to "ongoing delays between San Jose and Oakland this afternoon, passengers are encouraged to seek alternate transportation options."
