CARUTHERS (KMJ) — Two people have been killed after the van they were in blew through a rail barrier and crashed into an oncoming Amtrak train. It happened close to the intersection of Peach and Conejo Avenues around eight miles out of Caruthers at around 10am Wednesday.
A driver and a passenger were inside the van and both were thrown from the vehicle when the train hit them, killing them on impact. Officials at the scene could be observed checking the rail line for any body parts that may still be there.
“After the collision the van spun off to the west side of the roadway, caught fire, and basically burned down”, says CHP Officer Axel Reyes.
There were almost 200 people on the Amtrak service, which left Fresno bound for Bakersfield, but no one on the train was injured.
“The train left Fresno on time approximately 9.55am heading to Hanford, and I believe it was supposed to arrive around 10.26”.
CHP say they don’t know what led to the van blowing through the barrier, but add that both the road and the rail line has since been reopened.
