The Colorado State Patrol confirmed five people were killed on Sunday morning when an Amtrak train hit a van in Las Animas County.  One girl was seriously injured.  The 2005 Town & Country Chrysler was traveling northbound on Las Animas County Road 32 when it failed to yield to the Amtrak Train.

The driver and four passengers died as a result of the crash.  One girl was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Denver.  All occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.  The passengers on the train and crew members of the Amtak train were not injured.

Alcohol and drug use are not suspected, but failing to yield to the train is being considered as the primary contributing factor for the crash.  Please remember to yield for trains at all railroad crossings.

Please remember when approaching a railroad crossing, be cautious because a train can arrive at any time, day, or night. Obey all warning devices, lights, gates, and signs. Do not drive onto a crossing until you are sure the tracks are clear, especially when there are multiple tracks. There may be a second train. Do not misjudge the train’s speed and distance. Because of its large size, a train appears to be moving much slower than you think. The average freight train traveling at 55 m.p.h. requires approximately one mile to stop. Trains can not stop, you can.  Colorado Railroad Crossing Rules