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Train crashes into minivan, killing 7 farm workers

Cause of accident, which scattered bodies and debris for half a mile, was not immediately determined.

December 13, 2001
1 min to read


An Amtrak train traveling 80 mph crashed into a minivan carrying farm workers Wednesday, killing all seven people in the van. The train, traveling through the Shafter, Calif., area en route to Bakersfield, hit the van at approximately 4:15 p.m. The cause of the accident was not immediately determined, but officials told The Los Angeles Times that warning lights and bells were working at the track crossing. All seven victims, workers from a nearby almond orchard, were men in their 20s and 30s. None of the 82 passengers and 10 crew members aboard Amtrak 714 were injured, and most passengers were later bused to Los Angeles.

Topics:Rail

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