Today, unfortunately, Amtrak #14, led by ALC42 #300, hit a Ventura County Public Works Water Tanker Truck in Moorpark, just west of the Edison Plant near Gabbert Rd.

Per Ventura County Sheriff and Ventura County Fire Department, approximately 190210 passengers and crew were on board. 15 passengers were transported with minor injuries, and the truck driver was transported to a local trauma center in unknown condition.

Every locomotive and car was derailed, but stayed upright. Some more than others. A small fire was put out beneath the baggage car shortly after Fire arrived on scene. There was also heavy and extensive damage to the tracks.

I was out recording 14 approximately 2 minutes before it hit the truck. I had just left Moorpark station and was driving home when I saw several Sheriff units rolling code past me. I looked at my phone, and saw a notification on PulsePoint about a train vs. vehicle incident about 2 minutes away from me. I knew it was 14.

I pulled up on scene, away from responding resources, and spent about 10 minutes to look before leaving as a multicasualty incident response started to arrive near where I had parked.

I had a sinking feeling it was going to be this particular crossing too. This specific crossing is not protected by automatic gates, and only warning signs. I drove by this crossing the day before, and saw several dump trucks crossing this grade crossing due to ongoing construction near by. Unfortunately, I had a sinking feeling that it was only a matter of time before an accident happened. The trucks are large, heavy, and there you cannot see very far down the track before crossing due to the curve.

The video starts with the clip I recorded only minutes before the accident took place. Here is to a speedy and full recovery for all of the injured.

Timestamps:
0:00 A14 rolls through Moorpark
0:45 I arrive on scene of the wreck approx. 5 mins later