Florida Sheriff Says 6 People, Including 3 Children, Dead After Train Hit SUV

Florida Sheriff Says 6 People, Including 3 Children, Dead After Train Hit SUV, Smashing It 'Like a Soft Drink Can'

Six people, including three children, were killed when a train hit an SUV in Florida on Saturday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said the SUV was carrying six people when it was struck by the train at a railroad crossing in unincorporated Polk County, just east of Lakeland.

Sheriff Grady Judd said the SUV was "smashed like a soft drink can" by the train.

"It's just horrific," Judd said. "I've never seen anything like it."

Judd said the SUV was driven by a 24-year-old woman. The other passengers were a 28-year-old man, a 23-year-old woman, a 4-year-old girl, a 3-year-old boy, and a 1-year-old boy.

All six people were pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff's office said the train was carrying more than 200 passengers, but none of them were injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Details of the crash

Judd said the SUV was driving south on County Road 540 when it approached the railroad crossing. The train was traveling west on the tracks.

Judd said the SUV driver failed to stop at the railroad crossing and the train struck the SUV on the driver's side.

The impact of the crash sent the SUV spinning and it came to a rest about 100 feet away from the railroad crossing.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The NTSB is an independent agency that investigates transportation accidents.

The NTSB will likely look at a number of factors in its investigation, including the condition of the railroad crossing, the speed of the train, and the actions of the SUV driver.

Safety tips

The Federal Railroad Administration offers the following safety tips for railroad crossings:

• Never race a train.
• Always obey the warning signs.
• Stop at least 15 feet away from the tracks and listen for trains.
• Look both ways before crossing the tracks.
• If you see a train coming, do not cross the tracks.

If you are involved in a railroad crossing accident, the FRA recommends that you take the following steps:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Stay away from the train tracks.
• Do not try to move your vehicle if it is damaged.
• Wait for help to arrive.