An Amtrak passenger train derailed Monday in North Carolina after colliding with a truck at a crossing, local officials told BuzzFeed News.
The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. ET in Halifax County, Chief Deputy Sheriff Bruce Temple told BuzzFeed News.
This cellphone footage appears to show the moment of the crash.
View this video on YouTube
Officials said 55 people were transported to hospitals with injuries from the crash, with only one person in a serious condition.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it's investigating the crash.
We are aware of reports of an Amtrak train accident in Halifax County, NC and are gathering additional information.
Aerial pictures from the scene show the train's engine on its side, with the first baggage car completely derailed.
The affected train usually runs on the route between Charlotte, North Carolina, and New York each day.
An AMTRAK train was involved in an accident this afternoon in North Carolina. Item SE-19MO on Bit.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation released the following statement:
RALEIGH- At approximately 12:15 p.m. Monday, the northbound Amtrak Carolinian Train 80 was involved in a collision with a tractor trailer at the intersection of U.S. 301 and N.C. 903 in Halifax County. Train 80's locomotive and baggage car were derailed as a result of the collision. At this time minor injuries have been reported.
"NCDOT is continuing to assist Amtrak with the train accident in Halifax County. I've briefed Governor McCrory and we remain in constant communication as we work to address this situation," Transportation Secretary Tony Tata said. "We are relieved that there are no fatalities reported at this time, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured. Safety is always our top priority, and we continue to urge everyone to use extreme caution and stay alert when crossing our railroad tracks."
At this time U.S. 301, N.C. 903 and N.C. 125 are closed in all directions at this location. Amtrak is investigating the incident along with local authorities. NCDOT is providing support as needed.
The northbound Carolinian was traveling from Charlotte to New York City at the time of the collision. The crossing involved in this incident is equipped with gates and railroad-preempted traffic signals at the intersection of U.S. 301 and N.C. 903.
A woman who witnessed the crash told the Associated Press the truck driver had been lingering on the tracks because he was trying to make a difficult right-hand turn.
Leslie Cipriani said the trailer had been backing up several times before the crash.
She said the driver jumped out of the truck after the sirens sounded to signal the oncoming train and the cross bars hit his truck.