Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Train hits truck; 10 hurt
BY DAVID PORTER, Associated Press

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. -- A commuter train slammed into a tractor-trailer in northern New Jersey in the morning fog Wednesday, injuring 10 people including a school crossing guard who was seriously injured by flying debris.

The truck carrying hundreds of buckets of paint had crossed the tracks and unsuccessfully attempted to make a sharp left turn when the driver backed up to try again, according to a NJ Transit spokesman.

At that moment, the crossing gates began to lower, signaling a train approaching. The truck was unable to get off the tracks in time.

"It was a matter of circumstance, unfortunately," spokesman John Durso Jr. said.

Eight of the 10 injuries were considered minor, Durso said. In addition to the crossing guard, an NJ Transit employee aboard the train suffered serious injuries. The nature of the injuries was not immediately known. Seventy-one people, including crew, were on the train bound for Hoboken.