Up to 15 Dead in LA Train Smashup

Commuter and freight trains collide during rush hour, sparking blaze
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 12, 2008 7:21 PM CDT
Up to 15 Dead in LA Train Smashup
Rescue personnel work at the scene of a train crash in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo)

Ten to 15 people are dead and 70 injured after two trains collided in Los Angeles during rush hour today, the Los Angeles Times reports. At least 10 are critically hurt and dozens are likely trapped after a freight train slammed a Metrolink commuter train and derailed several cars. Firefighters initially battled a blaze sparked by the crash, which was so fierce that the commuter train's front passenger car was bent around its locomotive.

"It is a very, very sad situation," a Metrolink spokeswoman said. "We honestly don't know what happened. Obviously two trains are not supposed to be at the same place at the same time." (More train crash stories.)

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