News & Reviews News Wire Five hospitalized after Pacific Surfliner hits truck, derailing one car

Five hospitalized after Pacific Surfliner hits truck, derailing one car

By Trains Staff | December 13, 2023

| Last updated on February 2, 2024


Amtrak, Metrolink trains cancelled this morning by track closure

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Derailed passenger car illuminated by floodlights
The cab car of Amtrak Surfliner No. 790 is derailed after hitting a truck Tuesday evening near Somis, Calif. Ventura County Fire Department

SOMIS, Calif. — Five people were taken to hospitals for treatment after a Los Angeles-bound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner hit a truck at a grade crossing Tuesday, Dec. 12, derailing the train’s cab car.

KABC-TV reports the collision occurred about 6:20 p.m. near the intersection of Sand Canyon Road and State Route 118 between Somis and Moorpark, Calif. Photos show an overturned semi-truck following the collision.

The train involved, No. 790, had originated in Goleta, Calif., at 4:25 p.m. and was due in Los Angeles at 7:40 p.m. and San Diego at 11:04 p.m. The Los Angeles Times reports that 90 pasengers and five crew members were on the train. Four of those injured suffered minor injuries while a fifth suffered injuries characterized as minor to moderate.

The tracks remain closed as of this morning (Wednesday, Dec. 13), leading to cancellations for Surfliner and Metrolink service today. The Surfliner website reports today’s southbound trains 770, 774, and 784 are cancelled north of Los Angeles, as are northbound trains 761, 765, and 769. Additional cancellations or schedule changes may be necessary. The Amtrak website lists a “schedule disruption” for today’s northbound Coast Starlight, scheduled to depart Los Angeles at 9:51 a.m., and advises those viewing the site to “stand by for further information.”

For Metrolink, Ventura County Line trains 102 and 106 are originating in Moorpark; train 104 has been cancelled. Additional information, including details on Uber vouchers available for those affected, are available at the Metrolink Ventura County Line page on X/Twitter.

5 thoughts on “Five hospitalized after Pacific Surfliner hits truck, derailing one car

  1. The lighting on the photo is interesting. It makes the train look like paper cut-out or some low budget Photoshop attempt.

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