Three Dead After Amtrak Train Strikes Vehicle in Mansfield, Service Delayed

Three occupants of a vehicle that collided with an Amtrak train in Mansfield Sunday have been pronounced dead, MBTA Transit Police confirmed Monday. 

The Amtrak train was reportedly en route to Washington, D.C. Sunday night when it struck the vehicle at Gilbert Street Crossing in Mansfield. The train derailed after the crash. 

About 180 passengers were on the train at the time of the incident, but none were injured; a train conductor was evaluated for a head injury. Police are working to identify the victims of the vehicle, which reportedly drove onto and along the train tracks before the incident. Authorities have no details as to where the vehicle accessed the train tracks.

Initially, MBTA police confirmed two fatalities as a result of the incident, but in a press conference Monday morning clarified that three bodies have been recovered from the vehicle. While police have not identified the victims of the crash, they did say two were males and the third was a female. 

Officials also said Monday that they could not confirm initial reports that the vehicle involved was a pickup truck. 

The area was described as "heavily wooded" and "swampy," which has made recovery and investigation efforts difficult, officials said Monday. Amtrak Police, MBTA Transit Police, Mansfield police and fire crews, Massachusetts State Police and the Federal Railroad Administration are all investigating.

The passengers were on the train for about four hours before being transferred to another train and transported to South Station in Boston. Amtrak has cancelled service from Boston to Providence until later Monday. 

Trains on the Providence/Stoughton line have been delayed 15 to 20 minutes as of 7 a.m. Monday due to a single-track operation between Attleboro and Mansfield as a result of the incident, MBTA commuter rail service said. All trains on the line are expected to be delayed 15 to 20 minutes.