At least three firefighters were hospitalized, and 12 others sustained injuries after a Brightline train collided with a fire engine in Delray Beach on Saturday morning, officials reported.
The incident occurred shortly before 10:50 a.m. at the intersection of East Atlantic Avenue and Southeast 1st Avenue, according to Delray Beach Fire Rescue Chief Ronald Martin.
Photos shared by eyewitnesses depict a chaotic scene, with the Brightline train coming to a halt at the rail crossing. Behind it, the fire engine can be seen severely damaged, its wreckage highlighting the force of the collision. The train also appeared to have sustained significant damage, underscoring the severity of the crash. Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene, working to assist those injured in the incident.
Delray Beach city officials stated that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue assisted in the response, transporting a total of 12 individuals with minor injuries to the hospital.
Three firefighters were injured in the collision, with two initially listed in critical condition at the scene. They were transported to the Delray Beach Trauma Center, where their condition has since been stabilized, according to Delray Beach Fire Rescue Chief Ronald Martin. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported at this time.
One witness from Miami shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the fire engine involved in the crash was allegedly responding to a car accident nearby. Chief Martin acknowledged there had been a concurrent call for service just before the collision. However, he could not confirm whether the fire engine was actively responding to that specific incident, as the exact timing and details are still under investigation.
Martin also noted that he had not received confirmation on whether the railroad guardrails were down at the time of the collision.
In response to the incident, Brightline released video footage captured moments before the crash. The video, shared on X, appears to show the fire engine crossing the tracks despite the guardrails being lowered, raising further questions about the circumstances leading to the collision.
Brightline emphasized the importance of railroad safety in a statement, reminding the public that “railroad safety is a community-wide effort.” They urged drivers to prioritize safety by never attempting to drive around lowered crossing gates.
Following the collision, Delray Beach Police announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the intersection of East Atlantic Avenue and Southeast 1st Avenue was temporarily closed. Motorists were directed to use alternate routes, such as Northeast 1st Avenue or Southeast 2nd Avenue, while crews worked to tow away the severely damaged fire engine from the scene.
The Delray Beach Police Department, along with Brightline officials and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to the crash. Authorities are examining all factors involved, including whether proper safety measures were in place at the time of the collision.
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