3 killed, including 6-year-old, when Amtrak train hit pickup truck in western NY

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Three people, including a young boy, were killed in western New York on Friday evening when a pickup truck was struck by an oncoming Amtrak train, fire officials said on Saturday.

Amtrak train 281 was traveling from New York City to Niagara Falls at around 8 p.m. when it collided with a vehicle obstructing the track, an Amtrak spokesperson confirmed with 1010 WINS/WCBS 880.

“There have been no reported injuries to the 21 passengers or crew onboard,” Amtrak said. “Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.”

Firefighters responded to the scene at Felton Street and River Road in North Tonawanda where they found three passengers trapped in a pickup truck and in need of extrication, officials said. EMS and additional units were requested.

Resuscitation efforts were made as the patients were removed from the vehicle, but they were unsuccessful.

All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the North Tonawanda Police Department , the victims were a 69-year-old man, 66-year-old woman and 6-year-old boy. They were inside of a Dodge pickup truck at the time of the collision, police said.

An investigation into this incident is ongoing.

“We would ask that you respect the privacy of the victims’ families and the first responders who were at the scene,” NTPD Captain Daryl Truty said.

Crossing incidents are the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

These incidents “serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and grade crossings,” Amtrak said.

Federal Railroad Administration data shows that 2,190 highway-rail grade crossing collisions occurred in 2023, causing 248 casualties and 754 injuries.