A Brightline train collided with a fire truck at East Atlantic Avenue and Southeast First Avenue in downtown Delray Beach on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Photo by [Mike Stocker/ Tribune Content Agency LLC]
A Brightline train collided with a fire truck in downtown Delray Beach on Saturday afternoon, resulting in injuries to three firefighters and several passengers.
The incident occurred near East Atlantic Avenue and Southeast First Avenue, a bustling area filled with shops and restaurants. The force of the collision left the fire truck overturned, with its ladder detached and lying several yards away. The front of the train sustained significant damage and came to a halt approximately a block from the crash site.
Emergency responders from Delray Beach Police and Fire Rescue, along with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, promptly arrived at the scene. The injured firefighters were transported to a local hospital and are reported to be conscious. Passengers aboard the train suffered minor injuries and were transferred to another train shortly after the collision.
The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed the fire truck's destination or the circumstances leading up to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is gathering information to determine whether a formal investigation will be conducted.
This incident adds to a series of accidents involving Brightline trains since the service began operations in July 2017. To date, over 100 fatalities have been associated with Brightline, giving it the highest death rate among the nation's railroads. However, previous investigations have typically attributed these incidents to factors such as suicides, pedestrians attempting to cross tracks ahead of trains, or drivers circumventing crossing gates, rather than faults in Brightline's operations.
The collision drew significant attention from local residents and visitors, many of whom were in the area enjoying weekend activities. As authorities continue their investigation, the community awaits further details regarding the circumstances of this alarming event.
