Mississippi’s recently revived Amtrak passenger rail line saw its first wreck on Tuesday night, hitting a crossing vehicle and killing two people.
According to the Pass Christian Police Department, the individuals were traveling in a car south and were struck by the train heading east toward its next stop in Gulfport at approximately 7:08 p.m. The crash happened at the intersection of Davis Avenue and the tracks.
Both victims were transported to Oschner Medical Center, where they were pronounced deceased. They were identified Wednesday morning as Douglas Craddock, 31, and Tavianna Ellegant, 24. Both were from Long Beach and died from blunt force trauma, according to the Harrison County coroner.
While some have raised concerns about lights on the rail line potentially being out, Pass Christian Police Chief Daren Freeman said all evidence indicates the lights were on and flashing at the Davis Avenue railroad crossing, alerting vehicles that a train is coming. However, they went out after the vehicle crashed into them.
Amtrak officials confirmed to the Sun Herald that there were no reported injuries of the 97 passengers or crew members on board and are working with law enforcement to investigate the incident.
Amtrak began daily passenger service from New Orleans to Mobile last month, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, after a 20-year hiatus due to Hurricane Katrina destroying railroads along the Coast in 2005.
Hunter Dawkins of The Gazebo Gazette contributed to this report.
