Update: Remains of 2 Crewmen Found in Train Wreckage
6/30/16
Emergency crews have recovered the remains of 2 of the 3 mission BNSF employees who died on June 28th when two intermodal trains collided head on in the town of Panhandle. Though BNSF officials have not released the names of the 4 crew members involved in the crash, one of the deceased was confirmed by friends and family. Lubbock Online reports that BNSF engineer Cody Owens of Claude was killed in the accident. The NTSB has been on the scene since the hours immediately following the accident and their investigation is ongoing.
Original Post 6/28:
Two freight trains have collided near town of Panhandle, Texas along Highway 60. The crash occurred at around 8:40 am this morning. People living on the east side of the town have been evacuated.
Emergency crews have been battling a fire at the scene for well over 3 hours and this has depleted a large portion of the city's water supply. Myhighplains.com reports that BNSF officials have confirmed that the lead locomotives of two intermodal trains collided.
Four BNSF employees were involved in the crash. One was taken to an area hospital. His exact condition is unknown. Efforts were underway to rescue the other three. There extent of their injuries in unknown. DPS officials have stated that an update will be sent out to media this afternoon
Below is video from ABC 7 in Amarillo provided by two witnesses who captured the scene just seconds after the initial collision.
Video by Christi Lynn, via Facebook (used by permission)