This is a disaster only a personal injury lawyer could love.
3 Dead 45 injured in BNSF-UP collisionAs noted, a BNSF and a UP freight collided in Southwestern Bexar county, causing the spill of chlorine and amonium-nitrate. The incident occured around 5am close to Loop 410 and Pearsall road on the former SP mine line.
3 people have been confirmed dead, with the possibility of a fourth. One engineer was killed and a conductor is missing, and presumed to be dead. Also killed was an elderly couple in a nearby home, when they inhaled the toxic fumes. Over 45 people have been taken to hospitals all across San Antonio. Some remain in critical condition, including a UP engineer. Others have been treated and released. Some children and elderly people were among those receiving injuries.The effects of this collision were felt at locations over 15 miles away from the derailment. Sea World of Texas, which is 11 miles away from the wreck site, postponed Mondays scheduled Season Opening due to the wreck. The fumes had migrated to the Sea World location, and 2 employees were taken to hospitals for treatment. An area prison was placed on lock-down due to the wreck. The air conditioning was shut down as a precautionary measure.
The cause of the collision is under investigation. It appears as the BNSF train was entering a siding when it was struck by a UP Westbound. 5 locomotives and over 30 cars were involved in the wreck.