9 hurt as train derails, car plunges into California creek

March 8, 2016 6:53 am

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

SUNOL, Calif. (AP) _ A downed tree on the tracks reported caused a commuter train to derail in Northern California, sending its lead car plunging into a swollen creek and leaving nine people injured.

Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly says rescuers battled the creek’s fast-moving currents Monday night to pull riders to safety from the partially submerged rail car.

Kelly says it was a miracle that no one was killed given the dark, rainy and very chaotic conditions.

Fire officials say four people were seriously hurt, while five others had minor injuries. They had been saying in the first hours after the crash that 14 people were injured.

The train was traveling from San Jose to Stockton when the first two cars went off the tracks in rural Alameda County, about 45 miles east of San Francisco.