A head on collision involving two freight trains caused several box cars to derail and erupt in flames near the town of Pahandle, TX which is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Amarillo.
The Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson said the collision occurred at approximately 8:40am this morning. Federal Railroad Administration investigators are on the scene are reporting injuries. The agency spokesperson said there was no information on the number of injuries. We do know 4 BNSF employees were involved in the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Bureau has dispatched a team to the site and they are expected to arrive this evening. The Texas Department of Transportation has said that US Highway 60 is closed due to the fire and all residents of the east side of Panhandle have been evacuated to an elementary school.
Residents of Panhandle have also been asked to conserve water as the town’s water supply is being depleted by fire fighters. They also ask all residents and businesses to turn off all sprinkler systems.
The Texas A&M Forest Service along with fire departments from Claude and Potter County are assisting at the scene along with personnel from the Pantex Plant and Randall County.
KLVT News 