LA Times: Metrolink crash toll rises to 17

[marmar]

AP, via LA Times:



Metrolink crash toll rises to 17
Associated Press
5:30 AM PDT, September 13, 2008


LOS ANGELES — Emergency crews found more victims early Saturday, boosting the death toll to 17, as they delicately picked apart the mangled wreckage of a commuter train that collided head-on with a freight train on the same track.

More victims were feared trapped in the wrecked Metrolink commuter train. About 135 people were injured.

The impact rammed the Metrolink engine backward into a passenger car, which rested on its side with the engine still inside it early Saturday, and accordioned the freight train cars. Two other Metrolink cars remained upright. Crews had to put out a fire under part of the train.

During the night, the teams used hydraulic jacks to keep the passenger car from falling over and other specialized rescue equipment to gently tear apart the metal.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said the goal was to eliminate every piece of metal and gradually work down into the passenger spaces, but by midnight crews were just getting through the top deck of the double-decker train.

"There's so much damage, we need to wait for heavier equipment," Ruda said early Saturday. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-traincrash14-2008sep14,0,3660884.story

[malaise]

1. Too sad

:cry:

[riverwalker]

2. death toll could be over 100

there are 70 people still unaccounted for