One person killed in crash between Amtrak train and truck; three passengers hurt

By John R. Ellement and John M. Guilfoil, Globe Staff, and Martine Powers, Globe Correspondent

NORTH BERWICK, Maine – An Amtrak Downeaster train and a tractor trailer crashed at a busy roadway crossing this morning, leaving the truck driver dead and injuring some of the passengers on board Train No. 681, bound for Portland.

North Berwick Town Manager Dwayne Morin said the crash occurred at the crossing at Elm Street -- which is also Route 4 -- in the southern Maine town around 11 a.m. today.

Three passengers were transported to Goodall Hospital in Sanford, said Stephen Peasley, police chief in North Berwick. Two had smoke inhalation, and one had a head injury. Two of the injured passengers were treated and released, while the third was being held but could be released soon, said Kristen Hill, a hospital spokeswoman.

Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland said the truck driver was killed in the crash, the cause of which is under investigation. McCausland said the driver was the only fatality.

In a statement, Amtrak said: “There are no initial reports of any serious or life threatening injuries to the estimated 109 passengers on board,’’ the statement said.

The violent crash left debris all over the roadway and caused a number of fires to break out, according to witnesses.

Josh Pickett, 30, of Sanford, was heading to work at his job at an Internet company, when he arrived at the rail crossing to find fire, explosions, and destruction everywhere.

“There were no police officers there yet. There was just a lot of big popping and plumes of smoke and then more pops,” Pickett said. “You could see the fires spreading around people’s yards. There were little fires in different areas and smoke for 50 yards. And where the road crossing was, there was debris and garbage and stuff kind of exploded all over.”

Pickett said he could barely make out the remains of the truck.

“You couldn’t necessarily see it. The truck was so far gone. It was decimated,” he said. “It seemed really surreal.”

The Downeaster is Amtrak’s connection between Portland and Boston. According to the schedule, Train 681 should have left North Station around 9 a.m. today.

Amtrak said the crash has “disrupted” Downeaster service and that alternative means of transportation were being arranged for the passengers on Train 681.

North Berwick police is the investigating agency, McCausland said. Maine State Police have sent troopers who specialize in commercial truck enforcement to assist.

Morin said firefighters and paramedics from North Berwick and other communities are currently on scene assessing the extent of the injuries.