RAILROAD ACCIDENT: Police officer hurt after train crashes into patrol car

July 7, 2010

Long Beach – A police officer and several others were injured when a Blue Line train struck and crushed a patrol car near Pacific Coast Highway and Long Beach Boulevard Wednesday afternoon.

The accident occurred at 1:15 p.m. when the southbound train struck and pushed the police cruiser that was traveling west down the tracks at 16th Street. It was not yet clear if the officer was responding to an emergency call or ran a red light.

The unidentified officer was pinned between the train and car. He was extracted using the “jaws of life” and sent to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Fortunately, he only suffered non-life threatening injuries and in fact is now in stable condition, according to Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.

About 11 passengers were also taken to the hospital after complaining of neck and back injuries, but did not appear to be serious. Police Officer Israel Ramirez said that investigators are determining the cause of the accident.