15 injured in Florida When Train Hits Fire Truck Crossing Tracks

A shocking incident occurred in downtown Delray Beach, Florida, on Saturday, December 28, 2024, when a Brightline passenger train collided with a Delray Beach Fire Rescue ladder truck, resulting in injuries to 15 people.

The accident took place around 11:40 a.m. local time near the intersection of East Atlantic Avenue and Southeast First Avenue, a bustling area known for its shops and restaurants. According to witnesses, the fire truck reportedly drove around the crossing gates after a freight train had passed and was then struck by the oncoming Brightline train.

The collision resulted in:

• Three firefighters hospitalized, all reported to be conscious
• Twelve Brightline passengers suffering minor injuries

The impact was severe, causing significant damage:

• The fire truck overturned, with its ladder ripped off and lying several yards away
• The front of the Brightline train was completely destroyed

Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, including Delray Beach Police and Fire Rescue, city officials, and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. The area was cordoned off, with East Atlantic Avenue temporarily closed. Multiple agencies are now investigating the incident:

• Delray Beach Police Department
• Brightline officials
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The NTSB is still gathering information and has not yet decided whether to launch a full investigation.

This incident has raised questions about rail safety in the area. Jordan Kotellos, a local worker, mentioned that this was the third incident he had witnessed in ten years, questioning the placement of train tracks in such a busy location. The crash also comes in the wake of previous incidents involving Brightline trains, with the NTSB already investigating two crashes from earlier this year that resulted in three fatalities at the same crossing along Brightline's Miami-Orlando route. As the community grapples with this shocking event, discussions about rail safety and emergency vehicle protocols at crossings are likely to intensify in the coming days and weeks.