3 dead in Western New York after vehicle hit by Amtrak train

Three people were killed in western New York after their vehicle was struck by a northbound Amtrak train, firefighters said Saturday.

Amtrak train 281 was traveling from New York to Niagara Falls when it struck a vehicle obstructing the track, an Amtrak spokesperson confirmed to CBS News.

“No injuries were reported among the 21 passengers or crew on board. Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident,” the spokesperson said.

Firefighters arrived at the scene of the accident in North Tonawanda, a town in Niagara County about 13 miles from the Canadian border, around 8 p.m. local time. Three people were trapped in the car, authorities said, and they requested help with additional extrication equipment to get them out of the vehicle.

Three ambulances arrived and doctors tried to resuscitate them, but they died at the scene, firefighters said. No additional information about their identity has been released.

Incidents at railroad crossings are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. In 2023, there were 2,190 collisions and 248 deaths.

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