Amtrak Riders Bused Around Derailment
More than 600 Amtrak passengers were bused between Fresno and Bakersfield after a four-locomotive freight train derailed in McFarland on Wednesday, closing a major Central Valley track.
No injuries were reported in the accident about 30 miles north of Bakersfield, said Lena Kent, a spokeswoman for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Fifteen flat cars from the Chicago-bound freight train derailed about 4:25 a.m., with a few catching fire, police said.
Police said a Fresno big-rig driver caused the accident after fleeing a hit-and-run crash.
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