NOLA Amtrak Train Involved in Fatal Collision

(KMDL-FM) It was always one of the final pieces to the Gulf Coast's recovery from Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago. It was the return of passenger rail service along the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coast. And just a few weeks ago, we got it back.

New Orleans Amtrak Train Collides With a Car in Mississippi, Killing Two

Sadly, one of the things proponents of the rail service between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama feared the most happened last night in Harrison County, Mississippi. The Amtrak Mardi Gras service was involved in a fatal crash involving an automobile at a level crossing.

READ MORE: How Much Does It Cost to Take Amtrak from NOLA to Mobile?

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Forgive me for sounding harsh, but I just don't understand how a train and a vehicle can collide at a crossing unless there is a mechanical or medical reason. For motorists, the train is only going to cross the road in that one spot. It's not like you have to look at a lot of places. Also, trains are big and noisy; you should know when they are approaching.

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Based on an account of last night's incident as reported in the Biloxi Sun Herald Newspaper, their online edition, two people were in a vehicle that apparently attempted to cross the track in front of the train without slowing down.

What Happens to Passengers When a Train is Involved in a Fatal Crash?

Having been on an Amtrak train that was involved in a fatal crash, they told the passengers on board the train that there was a "trespass incident".  A lot of people don't know if you're sitting, standing, or on a railroad track; you are trespassing. Unfortunately, last night's trespassing incident was a fatal one.

Authorities say the passenger in the car died at the scene, and the driver of the vehicle succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital. The identities of those killed in the crash are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service was en route to Mobile from New Orleans with 97 passengers on board when the incident happened near Pass Christian, Mississippi. No passengers on the train were injured, and the Amtrak train was allowed to continue on its route once the preliminary investigations were completed.