NTSB to investigate truck-train collision

At least two people are dead after a collision involving a train and tractor-trailer in Nevada on Friday.Federal investigators are on their way to the scene of a truck versus train crashAn Amtrak train and a tractor-trailer truck crash east of Reno, NevadaAt least two people have been killed, authorities sayThe train was headed to Emeryville, California, from Chicago

(CNN) -- A team of federal investigators has been dispatched to the scene of a truck-train collision east of Reno, Nevada, that killed at least two people, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The investigators were expected to arrive in Nevada late Friday night, hours after a tractor-trailer slammed into an Amtrak train at a public railroad crossing in the town of Lovelock, the NTSB said.

The truck struck the train, which was on its way to Emeryville, California from Chicago, at 11:20 a.m., Amtrak said in a written statement. The train was carrying 204 passengers and 14 crew members, it said.

"Preliminary reports are that there have been fatalities to passengers, an Amtrak train crew member and the operator of the truck," the Amtrak statement said. "There were numerous others transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries."

Amtrak spokesman Mark Magliari declined to confirm the number of injuries.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Danny Lopez said at least two people, one on the train and one in the truck, were killed in the accident.

Amateur video taken after the crash showed huge plumes of black smoke billowing from the train as a fire burned. Passengers and crew members stood outside.

Firefighters and law enforcement authorities were on the scene, and buses were being sent to pick up stranded passengers, Lopez said.

CNN