Chatsworth Train Crash Worse Than First Reported

September 12, 2008 (by Otto Smyth)

According to Metrolink injury lawyers in Chatsworth, More information is becoming available in the Cathsworth Metrolink crash, it is now known that the freight train involved in the crash was a Union Pacific freight train. This is now the deadliest light rail crash in California state history.

In a statement from Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor of Los Angeles there have been ten confirmed deaths and approximately between 30 and 40 people injured, confirmed by Lt. John Romero of the Los Angeles Police Department. Both fear the death toll may rise as high as twenty.

It has also been reported that one of the train crash fatalities was a Los Angeles Police Department officer, the officers name has not been released.

Chief Dennis Barry of the Los Angeles Fire Department held a news conference at approximately 8:40 to release some of the details about the crash that occurred about 4:20 p.m. He stated that firefighters setup a triage at the Stoney Point Park in the vicinity of the 118 Freeway. He also confirmed the crash occurred in the vicinity of Rinaldi Street and east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and west of Canoga Avenue.

There were 250 firefighters at the scene of the crash, they were assisted by police and civilians in extracting the victims from the Metrolink passenger train.

He also confirmed that there is a hazardous material condition due to the leaking of fuel from the trains.

Sheriff Lee Baca has confirmed that there was a uniformed deputy sheriff aboard the train and sounded the alarm during the crash, this officer was uninjured. He also stated that presently the County Sheriff’s Department is assisting the city while the rescue is continuing.

Denise Tyrell the spokes person for Metrolink stated that the train involved in the crash was number 111 and its usual route is from Union Station in Los Angeles and travels to Moorpark in Ventura County. Metrolink has set up an emergency hotline for family members.

A Union Pacific spokes person confirmed they have not had contact with anyone from the scene and their train carried a conductor and an engineer. newspersonal injury attorney los angeles.