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3 killed in western New York after vehicle hit by Amtrak train
Three people were killed in western New York after their vehicle was struck by a northbound Amtrak train, fire officials said on Saturday.
Amtrak Train 281 was traveling from New York to Niagara Falls when it struck a vehicle obstructing the track, an Amtrak spokesperson confirmed to CBS News.
“There have been no reported injuries to the 21 passengers or crew onboard. Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident,” said the spokesperson.
Firefighters arrived at the accident scene in North Tonawanda, a city in Niagara County around 13 miles from the Canadian border, around 8 p.m. local time. Three people were trapped in the car, officials said, and they requested assistance with extra extrication equipment to pull them from the vehicle.
Three ambulances arrived and medics attempted to resuscitate them, but they died at the scene, fire officials said. No additional information about their identities was released.
Crossing incidents are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. In 2023, there were 2,190 collisions and 248 deaths.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
A rare dusting of summer snowfall happened in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California overnight.
The snow was spotted by a deputy in Eastern Madera County at Minaret Vista, who posted the video to their Facebook page on Saturday, August 24.
Madera County Sheriff’s Office
“While it’s rare to see snow this time of year, it’s a reminder of the unpredictable nature of our beautiful Sierra Nevada. If you’re planning to visit, please drive carefully and be prepared for the chilly weather,” according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Snow was also recorded at the top of The Summit at Mammoth Mountain, which is 11,053 feet.
“This morning was chill. Take a look at the dusting of new snow on the mid and upper-mountain,” said officials at Mammoth Mountain on Instagram.
You could also see the snow on Mammoth Mountain’s live webcam page.
The National Weather Service sent out an alert to hikers and campers in the area to be prepared for winter conditions, including slick roads.
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