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Semi-truck collides with light rail train in Phoenix
FOX 10's Irene Snyder reports.
PHOENIX - A fiery crash in Phoenix is under investigation after a tractor trailer and light rail collided on Sunday night.
What we know:
The Sept. 14 crash happened near 18th and Washington streets around 7:15 p.m.
"When officers arrived, they were joined by the fire department and saw both the light rail and the tractor trailer in flames. The occupants were helped off. The driver of the tractor trailer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries," the Phoenix Police Department said.
The Phoenix Fire Department says the crash caused heavy flames and smoke to erupt from the light rail and tractor trailer. Phoenix Fire says the flames reached at least 30 feet in the air.
A tractor trailer and light rail collided in Phoenix on the night of Sunday, Sept. 14, causing flames to burst into the air. Photo courtesy of JET Limousines.
"The accident caused the light rail to be de-energized knocking out the power system. Crews were able to gain fire control preventing the flames from extending to an adjacent building," the fire department said.
Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller says at least 20 people were on board the light rail.
The tractor trailer was carrying miscellaneous pool supplies.
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Footage captures fiery Phoenix light rail crash
Newly obtained footage shows the moments a tractor trailer and light rail collided in Phoenix on Sunday night. The Phoenix Fire Department says flames shot nearly 30 feet into the air. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean reports.
"Crews arrived on scene.. the overhead catenary system, which is what we kind of describe as a plug.. it was severed, so that de-energized two substations. So I can tell you that 16th Street to 20th Street has been shut down. The Jefferson track is going to continue to be open, so one track will be open, but you should expect delays. We are currently working with Metro. Phoenix PD is working with the transit department along with the streets department to get everything cleaned up and open, but I can tell you that westbound Washington will be closed for an unknown amount of time," stated Keller.
What they're saying:
Taylor Lasch was one of more than 20 passengers on a light rail.
"It felt like being in a war zone," Lasch said. "I've never seen it grow so fast. I've never heard explosions like that."
As the train screeched to a halt, Lasch was in a rear part of the train and pulled the emergency exit open.
"The people in the front car get off like cockroaches," he said. "They all just scurried off. It was exploding left and right, and so I started calling 911."
Lasch said the screams, flames, and chaos are etched in his mind.
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"Whatever you call that cable above the train, it had snapped and almost smacked like four of us on the way out," he said.
Lasch tried to reach the conductor but was blocked by flames.
"The explosions kept pushing me back," he said. "Whatever that truck was carrying was highly flammable, highly volatile. The fire had like doubled or tripled in size. And by that time, things started exploding. It was a big fire. I'm shaking right now thinking about it."
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Map of the area where the crash happened
What we don't know:
The cause of the crash is unknown.