Train crashes into semi-truck at crossing near Marysville, derails; Amtrak buses passengers to Bellingham, Canada

A freight train traveling about 49 miles hour struck a semi-truck at a crossing near Marysville this morning, derailing three locomotive engines and a boxcar, railway officials said.

Upon seeing the truck about 5:45 a.m. at the 13100 block of State Avenue, the train crew blasted the horn and applied the emergency brake, but couldn't prevent the collision, said spokesman Gus Melonas.

The impact split the truck, which was hauling frozen pizzas and cake. The truck driver and the train engineer were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries, Melonas said.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway train was carrying three loads of general freight from Pasco and was destined for Vancouver, B.C., Melonas said. There were no hazardous materials on board. Most of the train cars were empty.

The crossing had a stop sign and was equipped with other warning signs, but there were no gates or flashing lights, Melonas said.

Crews are on site to fix the railway, he said. Melonas said the track should be reopened by 3 a.m. Tuesday morning.

In the meantime, Amtrak will bus passengers around the accident en route to Bellingham and Canada, he said.

Traffic on State Avenue was rerouted to 136th Street Northeast and 116th Street Northeast, said Lt. Jeff Goldman with the Marysville Police Department said.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com