Amtrak delayed after train strikes vehicle parked on tracks

Passengers mill around the engine of an Amtrak train that struck a vehicle east of McCook this morning.

Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Amtrak and local officials are investigating how a vehicle got on the tracks — not at a crossing — east of McCook this morning.

According to an Amtrak spokesman in Chicago, Amtrak Train 5 was traveling from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay at approximately 3:57 a.m. CDT when it came into contact with a vehicle on the tracks (not at a crossing) east of McCook.

"There have been no reported injuries to the 116 passengers or to the crew onboard. Amtrak is working with local authorities to investigate the incident."

Train 5 was delayed more than seven hours.

"These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers. They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings.

"Amtrak continues to work closely with Operation Lifesaver (OLI) to #STOPTrackTragedies by emphasizing the obvious dangers of being on railroad property or disregarding warnings at rail crossings. For more railroad safety information, please visit StayOffTheTracks.org."