HAVERHILL, Mass. — HAVERHILL, Mass. — An 83-year old man died Monday when an Amtrak Downeaster train struck his vehicle at an intersection in Haverhill.
Amtrak says none of the 80 passengers on the train was injured.
According to a statement from Amtrak “a vehicle was obstructing the tracks north of Haverhill, Mass. on Monday, Dec.27 at approx. 12:47 p.m. ET, when it came into contact with Amtrak Downeaster train 683 on its way from Boston to Brunswick, Maine.”
“I heard a big noise and I thought oh somethings definitely wrong,” said Allison Armstrong of Rockland Maine. “We are not going anywhere.”
NEW INFO: @AmtrakNECAlerts says a vehicle was obstructing the track north of Haverhill when the Downeaster on its way from Boston to Brunswick, Maine hit it. Amtrak says no reported injuries on their train. 80 people were on board.
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) December 27, 2021
That big noise was the Downeaster train flattening the truck. The Essex County District Attorney’s office says an 83-year-old man was the only person in the vehicle. He died at the scene.
“It looked like maybe a tree had fallen because it kind of ruffled down beside the side of the train and then I just saw a big explosion off to the side,” said Seth Paquin of Exeter New Hampshire.
“It’s terrible,” said Joan Croteau of Haverhill. “It’s horrible any time but especially around the holidays.”
“I was standing up in the bathroom of the train,” said Walter Schaffner of Dover. “I just started bouncing all over the place. I didn’t know what was going on until I got out.”
BREAKING:
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) December 27, 2021
Incident involving an #Amtrak train and vehicle in #Haverhill.
Schedule has Train 683 headed from #Boston to #Portland Maine.@boston25@rgoulstonhttps://t.co/CJbOdVUmmN pic.twitter.com/XYUvRWSVJs
Amtrak passengers told Boston 25 News that passengers had to wait for another Amtrak train before they could be evacuated and taken to a train station in Haverhill to continue their journeys.
VIDEO:
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) December 27, 2021
Passengers transferring from the Amtrak Train 683 that crashed into a vehicle in #Haverhill - to another Amtrak train.
Credit: Ryan Keeganhttps://t.co/g4S5yPtwu1@rgoulston pic.twitter.com/mZNRBC3L8z
Even though the holiday tragedy added even longer delays for travelers, that wasn’t their biggest concern.
“We got canceled last night and spent the night in Orlando airport,” said Richara Gonzales of Wilton Maine. “I complained a lot at first and everything but I’m really more worried about the man’s family and everything right now.”
In its statement Amtrak said “This incident is a critical reminder to the public about the importance of exercising caution around railroad tracks and crossings. Amtrak continues to work closely with Operation Lifesaver to communicate the dangers of being inattentive at rail grade crossings and along the railroad right-of-way. Each year, approximately 2,000 people are killed or injured in grade crossings and trespassing incidents nationwide.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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