Tragic train crash
in Florida kills six people, including three children,
Video souce : livenow from fox
What happened?
A freight train collided with an SUV carrying seven people on their way to a quinceañera party in Plant City, Florida, on Saturday evening, killing six of them and leaving one in critical condition. The SUV was crossing the railroad tracks at a stop sign when it was hit by the train, which was traveling at over 55 mph. The impact was so violent that the SUV was catapulted and flipped several times before landing a distance from the crossing. Five of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver and the front-seat passenger were taken to the hospital, where the driver later succumbed to his injuries.
Who were the victims?
The victims were identified as Jose G. Hernandez, 52, the driver of the SUV; Enedelia Hernandez, 50; Jakub A. Lopez, 17; Alyssa Hernandez, 17; Anaelia Hernandez, 22; and Julian Hernandez, 9. They were members of a family and two friends who were heading to a quinceañera, a celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday, in Plant City. The only survivor was Guillermo E. Gama III, 23, the front-seat passenger, who is hospitalized in critical condition.
How did the authorities and witnesses react?
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the tragedy was “devastating” and “shattered” the hearts of the deputies and first responders who witnessed the carnage. He said the video footage from the train’s camera showed that the SUV driver did not stop at the stop sign and crossed the tracks without looking both ways. He said the train conductor tried to slow down and honked the horn, and a witness in another vehicle also honked to warn the SUV driver, but it was too late. He said the railroad crossing where the crash occurred did not have crossing arms or alarms, but only a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign, because it was on a road in a not well-traveled area. He said he believed that Hillsborough County lost one of its families in the crash.
What are the next steps?
Chronister said the investigation into the crash is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office. He also expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims and asked the community to keep them in their prayers. He said the sheriff’s office will provide counseling and support to the deputies and first responders who were traumatized by the incident.
