GALLERY | Train collision causes massive fire, pile-up of train cars
PANHANDLE, Texas (KVII) — UPDATE | As of 2 p.m. Carson County could not confirm that any rescue efforts were underway at this time because crews are still trying to contain the fire.
As of 2:20 p.m., the mandatory evacuation had been lifted.
It was confirmed that three crew members were missing and one was taken to a hospital in Amarillo.
ORIGINAL STORY | Several agencies are working a train derailment that happened in Panhandle Tuesday morning.
At noon, the City of Panhandle has issued a mandatory evacuation for the east side of town from 207 East and anyone south of 7th Street.
According to witnesses on the scene, the derailment happened on the east edge of Panhandle. Reports are that two trains collided head-on. At least one of the trains is a BNSF Railroad freight train.
At this time, it is not known if there were any injuries or if there is a Hazmat situation. However, our crews have had to move from their position several times after being asked to evacuate different areas.
US-60 has been shut down near the area.
Sheriff Loren Brand has confirmed there was at least one injury that is known of at this time. That person was transported to an Amarillo hospital. Brand said they have not been able to get close enough to the scene to determine any other injuries.
The City of Panhandle has sent out a notice to residents to cut back on all water usage immediately. They said the City's water supply is being depleted by firefighters at the collision. They ask residents to turn off all sprinkler systems.
The City has also sent notification for all residents on the East side of Panhandle to evacuate. They said smoke from the derailment is shifting to the north. They are asking residents east of Highway 207 to evacuate to the War Memorial or the Court House if they have no place to go.
The City also said anyone who wants to donate water or anything else for the first responders can take the donation to the Methodist Church.
Officials are busy working the scene, so this is all the information available at this time.
ABC 7 Amarillo has crews headed to the scene and will update this story with more information as it is received.
