St. Louis-bound train hits truck; 10 hurt

BRIGHTON -- Amtrak says one of its trains slammed into a tractor-trailer that blocked the tracks in southern Illinois, injuring nine passengers and a crew member.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says the 10 injured went to hospitals for evaluation but none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

Macoupin County Sheriff Don Albrecht said the cab of the truck became stuck on the crossing around 11:15 a.m. Monday and the driver left the vehicle when he heard the train, which was traveling to St. Louis from Chicago.

The collision caused the locomotive and four of the cars to slip off the rails, though they remained upright and coupled.

Amtrak says a chartered bus transported the 30 other passengers to Alton and St. Louis, about 40 miles away.