Florida collection truck sheared by passenger train

A train-truck collision in Lake Worth, Florida, in early January has involved a solid waste collection truck and a passenger train serving South Florida.

According to an online report from the Palm Beach Post, the collection truck stalled on tracks used by the Tri-Rail line operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4. The Tri-Rail line runs from Miami Airport north through northern Dade County, Broward County and Palm Beach County.

The Post report says the stalled truck “was split in half,” but the driver was able to escape the vehicle before it was struck by the train near Sixth Avenue in Lake Worth, which is in Palm Beach County.

While the driver escaped injury, 22 of the more than 80 passengers aboard the train were treated for injuries after the collision. According to the Post, “The front Tri-Rail car was completely derailed and tilted slightly on its side when investigators arrived.” Garbage from the stricken truck littered the area surrounding the accident scene.

The Post report indicates the garbage truck may have belonged to the city of Lake Worth, and places a $150,000 value on the vehicle.