- Eastbound Union Pacific train was traveling 60mph through town when it slammed into the trailer carrying 26 people
- Wounded veterans shoved their wives and girlfriends out of the way as train barreled down the tracks into the float
- Midland, Texas, residents turned out in droves to donate blood at emergency donation center hospital set up in wake of the crash
By Michael Zennie
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At least four people have died and 16 were injured in west Texas after a freight train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans en route to a charity benefit.
The veterans and their wives were seated on the flat beds of two tractor trailer rigs that paraded through downtown Midland, Texas, to a 'Show of Support' banquet in their honor.
As the two trailers crossed the train tracks, a Union Pacific train suddenly appeared, barreling down the tracks about 4.30pm on Thursday.
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Devastation: A train smashed into this flatbed trailer carrying dozens of veterans and their spouses on Thursday evening
Mangled: Emergency crews work on victims injured by the Union Pacific train that smashed into a parade float. Two people died at the scene and two others died at the hospital
Selfless: The Midland County Sheriff said several of the veterans tried to push their friends or their wives out of the way before the train hit
The first float pulled ahead and successfully cleared the tracks, but the second float, still filled with people, was smashed by the locomotive.
Two people died at the scene. Two more died at the hospital.
Ten of the victims are in critical condition. Eight are stable.
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'It was pandemonium at the point of impact. Some (of the veterans) tried to jump and protect each other, their girlfriends and their wives,' Sheriff Gary Painter told the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
The overwhelmed staff at Midland Memorial Hospital have begun asking the community for blood donations and set up an emergency donation center in the city, KWES-TV reports.
Midland residents turned out in droves, wrapping around the parking lot and waiting for hours for a chance to donate blood.
Horror: The special convoy was meant to kick off as spacial weekend for the veterans and their families, including an all-expenses-paid deer hunt
'Heroes on Board': This is a shot of the tragic parade float just moments before it was wrecked and destroyed by a train
Horrified: Two participants in the parade cling to each other after the horrific crash that left 17 people injured -- ten of then critically
Event organizers say 24 veterans and their spouses were on the trailers, en route from a downtown hotel to a banquet in their honor, according to the newspaper.
The trailer that was hit by the train had 26 people on it -- a dozen veterans an their wives and girlfriends, plus two parade organizers.
The eastbound train was sounding its horn before it hit the float, Union Pacific spokesman Tom Lange said.
The train was traveling about 60mph. The speed limit for locomotives passing through Midland was increased from 40mph in 2003.
West Texas: The accident occurred in Midland, Texas, a city of 110,000 about 300 miles from Dallas
A preliminary investigation indicates the crossing gate and lights were working at the time, Lange said, though he didn't know if the train crew saw the float approaching.
However, witnesses reported that the crossing arms never lowered at the intersection, leaving the truck driver and the veterans completely off guard.
The National Transportation Safety Board is on the scene, investigating the cause of the crash, along with local sheriff's deputies and police.
The parade was meant to kick off a weekend of celebration for the veterans, who were supposed to go on an all-expense-paid whitetail deer hunting trip this weekend, while their wives were treated to a weekend out on the town.
Those events have been canceled as the community reels from the disaster.
'I?m just sick. I?m sick to my stomach,' Mayor Wes Perry told the Reporter-Telegram.
Stalled: A line of Corvettes followed the parade float. They were stalled at the intersection where the crash occurred
Disbelief: Terry Johnson, the founder of the 'Show of Support' charity that sponsored the parade, phones family members after the deadly crash
Shock: The West Texas city of 110,000 is reeling from the disaster
VIDEO: Tragedy. Emotional statement from Mayor as families wait for more information...?
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