Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to reports of a vehicle on the tracks at the intersection of Northwest Ninth Avenue and West Prospect Road. The vehicle had collided with an Amtrak passenger train traveling through the city.
Firefighters arrived to find a car engulfed in flames and a thick plume of smoke rising from the train. Crews worked swiftly to extinguish the fire, and after boarding the train they confirmed that no passengers or crew members were injured.
Witness Accounts
An anonymous witness told NBC6 that they heard the train’s brakes screeching before it came to a stop. “We looked over and saw smoke and fire erupting,” the witness said. The same witness observed passengers moving quickly inside the train cars, describing the scene as “pretty crazy” and noting that everything happened very fast.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not yet determined how the car entered the train’s path. Fort Lauderdale Police and Amtrak officials are conducting a joint investigation to establish the cause of the collision. The incident remains under active investigation, and officials have asked anyone with additional information to contact the police department.
Impact on Service
Amtrak temporarily halted service on the affected line while emergency crews cleared the site and ensured the train was safe to resume travel. Service was restored later in the evening after the tracks were inspected and cleared.
Residents in the surrounding neighborhoods reported hearing the train’s emergency brakes and seeing the smoke, but no further disruptions were reported. The incident underscores the importance of adhering to crossing signals and staying clear of railroad tracks.
Safety Reminder
Both local officials and Amtrak have reiterated the need for drivers to obey all traffic signals at railroad crossings. The Florida Department of Transportation continues to promote public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing similar accidents.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue team received commendations for their rapid response, which prevented the fire from spreading and ensured the safety of train passengers and crew.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
