15 injured when Amtrak train derails after colliding with truck near LA

An Amtrak train carrying almost 200 passengers derailed near Los Angeles when it slammed into a water truck Tuesday afternoon.

Television footage from the scene shows droves of people exiting the train as they carried luggage and other bags onto a bare patch of land in the city of Moorpark Wednesday afternoon.

At least 15 people were injured, with 14 of those victims only suffering from minor injuries, according to officials.

One person was taken to a trauma center, according to Ventura County Star.

There were about 198 riders and 13 Amtrak crew members evacuated from the train, Amtrak said in a statement.

Three of the train’s seven cars veered off the tracks after the collision that happened around 11:15 a.m., Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Brian McGrath said.

But the derailed train cars never tipped over.

Photos of the scene showed the truck totally demolished.

The truck’s driver was hospitalized, but he was seen speaking with first responders at the scene, the local sheriff’s department said, according to KNBC.

He fled his truck before the crash, McGrath initially said before clarifying the moments leading up to impact were not clear yet.

“No one’s talked to him, so the whole situation is still being investigated,” he said.

Most passengers got off the train on their own while others were helped by first responders, he said.

Amtrak said the train was traveling from Los Angeles to Seattle.

“Amtrak is working with customers to make alternate travel arrangements,” the company said in a statement. “Amtrak, in coordination with local authorities, is conducting a full investigation.”

With Post wires