SUNOL, Calif.—A downed tree on the tracks reportedly caused a commuter train to derail in Northern California, sending its lead car plunging into a swollen creek and leaving nine people injured, authorities said.
Rescuers battled the creek’s fast-moving currents Monday night to pull riders to safety from the partially submerged rail car, Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said.
“It was dark, wet, it was raining. It was very chaotic,” Kelly said. “This is an absolute miracle that no one was killed, no passengers or first responders.”
In this image provided the Alameda County Fire Department, first responders work the scene after a car of a commuter train plunged into Alameda Creek after the train derailed Monday, March 7, 2016, in Alameda County, Calif., about 45 miles east of San Francisco. Crews had to fight the creek's fast-moving currents to pull riders from the partially submerged rail car, Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said. Aisha Knowles/Alameda County Fire Department via AP
