The Amtrak Surfliner derailed in Moorpark, California, on Saturday after slamming into a tree-trimming truck

From CNN Correspondent Jim Hill

MOORPARK, California (CNN) -- An Amtrak passenger train slammed into a tree-trimming truck today in rural Southern California, killing one of the truck's occupants, critically injuring the other, and tearing the truck in two.

Twenty-seven train passengers were taken to four area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, authorities said.

Three of the train's five cars derailed in the accident, which happened about noon (3 p.m. EST) near State Route 118 just west of Moorpark, 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles, in Ventura County.

Amtrak train 462 was westbound from San Diego to Goleta, California, with 84 passengers and four crew members when it hit the truck at a two-lane, private road crossing.

The crossing had a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign but no barriers, said Dave Webb of the California Highway Patrol.

The accident happened in an area of citrus ranches, on a stretch of track where trains are allowed to travel at 70 mph, Webb said.

The tree-trimming truck had been hauling a small trailer, he said.

Investigators were on the scene, and plans were being made to put the derailed cars back on the track. Those passengers not taken to hospitals were to be bused to Goleta, about 90 minutes away.

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Amtrak
California Highway Patrol

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