A stuck tractor-trailer at an intersection in Halifax County caused injury to dozens of Amtrax passengers aboard a trains to New York from Charlotte.

The train hit the tractor trailer, hurting 55 of the train's 212 passengers riding Carolinian N0.80. They were taken to an area hospital, but most of them suffered only minor injuries.

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The mishap occurred at the junction of U.S, Highway 301 and N.C. Highway 903, which is about 30 miles north of Rocky Mount, reports WRAL.

The accident derailed the locomotive and baggage car, causing debris to fly. The train's engine fell on its side, but the other cars remained upright.

Train passengers recalled experiencing a massive jerk, and they were thrown a bit then the train suddenly stopped.

Several ambulance arrived on the scene to help the injured passengers. Buses also came to move train travelers to transit stations so they could continue their trip.

According to a witness who was driving behind the tractor-trailer, the truck driver was having a hard time turning left to U.S. 301 because of the size of its load when the train appeared and hit the trailer. A state trooper had actually been on the accident scene for several minutes attempting to help the driver with the difficult maneuver.

Lt. Jeff Gordon, the state trooper assisting the truck driver, said that the driver just needed more time to make the turn and he was thinking of notifying Amtrak, but even before Gordon could notify the rail company, the New York-bound train arrived and hit the truck.

John Devin Black of Claremont, the driver of the truck, was not in his trailer-truck when the Amtrak train slammed into the vehicle. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said no criminal charges would be filed against the driver of the Amtrak train or the truck-trailer.

The 164-foot-long truck had an oversized load, but the state has no notification requirements for oversized or overweight vehicles crossing the rails.

As a result of the accident, authorities had to close N.C. 903 U.S. 301 and N.C. 125 for both directions and set up a detour. The accident happened at about 12:15 p.m. but the damaged train was cleared at about 11 p.m.

Three agencies are jointly investigating the accident --- the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, the highway patrol and the state Department of Transportation.

TagsAmtrak, Train Accident, Halifax