‘Miracle’ saves passengers as ACE train derails

At least nine people were injured Monday evening when an Altamont Corridor Express commuter train derailed after striking a downed tree on the tracks in the Niles Canyon area of Alameda County near Fremont.

There were 214 passengers aboard ACE train No. 10, which travels from San Jose to Stockton, when it derailed around 7:30 p.m. near the 5500 block of Niles Canyon Road.

The first rail car of the train rolled into Alameda Creek, landed on its side and began to flood, according to Alameda County sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly:

“It is absolutely a miracle that nobody was killed.”

As of 10 p.m. all passengers had been removed from the derailed train car, according to the ACE officials.

Initial reports indicated there were a total of 14 injured victims. Ten of them suffered minor injuries; four suffered serious injuries and were transported to hospitals, according to ACE officials.

Firefighters later clarified that there were a total of nine patients in this derailment, four of whom suffered serious injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.

Kelly said:

“The most important thing is for people to know that their families are okay. … We don’t want anyone to panic at this point. Everyone’s alive and they’re going to be safe.”

A total of 196 uninjured passengers were transported to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton by bus, according to firefighters.

The Fremont Police Department issued a statement indicating that Niles Canyon Road has been closed due to the derailment.

Tuesday’s ACE train service has been canceled, and commuters are advised to find alternate modes of transportation.

Bay City News

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