Amtrak train hits tractor trailer in Connecticut, minor injuries reported

NORTH HAVEN, Connecticut — A Amtrak train A semi-truck carrying nearly 100 passengers collided with the back of a semi-truck in Connecticut early Friday morning, causing minor injuries to a driver and damaging warning equipment at the crossing, authorities said.

TV footage of the incident in North Haven showed heavy damage to the rear of the truck’s trailer, a pole with warning lights and a crossarm.

The accident happened shortly before 6 a.m. as train 471 was traveling south from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Norfolk, Virginia, Amtrak officials said. The train, carrying 97 passengers, struck the truck at a grade crossing in an industrial area about 6 miles (10 kilometers) north of New Haven.

An engineer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and no passengers were injured, Amtrak officials said. The truck driver was also not injured.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Amtrak and local rail service were temporarily suspended due to the crash. Amtrak said it was taking passengers on the train to another station.

Markings on the truck trailer showed the name of a Canadian company, Musket Transport. An employee of the company’s safety department said he was aware of the crash but declined to comment further.