Minor injuries reported from Thursday night crash
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Drywall is scattered along the road after a train collided with a tractor-trailer at the entrance to Saint-Gobain off U.S. 17 in Palatka. Florida Highway Patrol said the crash, which caused injuries and blocked traffic, occurred about 9:40 p.m. -
Although the crash did not occur at the West River Road crossing, the rail gates at that intersection remained down more than an hour after the collision.
Fourteen people suffered minor injuries when an Amtrak passenger train crashed into a tractor-trailer blocking a railroad crossing Thursday night on U.S. 17 north.
An Amtrak official said there were 115 passengers on board when the train struck a vehicle obstructing the tracks in Palatka. Florida Highway Patrol said 14 people were evaluated by Putnam County Fire and Rescue, with one Amtrak employee and two passengers transported to Putnam Community Medical Center with minor injuries.
The truck driver was not injured and cited for stopping over a railroad crossing, an FHP report said.
The crash happened about 9:30 Thursday at U.S. 17 north and Electric Avenue near Seminole Electric. The truck was carrying drywall, which was scattered near the crash site. The crash happened north of West River Road.
The Amtrak train struck the trailer causing the trailer to split in half and disabling the train engine, according to FHP.
More information will be in Saturday's Palatka Daily News.