In the early hours of a weekend morning, chaos and panic erupted in the vibrant nightlife district of Fort Lauderdale when a train collided with several cars stalled on the railway tracks. One vehicle was subsequently pushed into a woman standing outside The Den Sports Bar and Lounge on Southwest 2nd Street.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, in an area bustling with bars and clubs. According to police reports, three vehicles were trapped at the railway crossing as the barriers descended and the red lights flashed.
The train struck the rear end of a truck, causing the other two cars to crash into each other in a frantic attempt to escape the tracks. One car was thrust onto the sidewalk and ended up crashing into the bar's entrance, striking a woman outside.
Night of Celebration Turns into a Scene of Horror
The collision swiftly transformed a night of revelry into a terrifying spectacle. Witnesses recounted to WPLG Local 10 that partygoers fled in panic, some climbing over the halted train cars as debris flew through the air.
“I was in shock. It scared me because I thought it could have been me standing at that corner, the one hit by the car,” a young onlooker shared.
Another attendee warned, “People need to drive carefully. We all have families to go back to.”
Footage shared on social media captures the moment the train barrels down the tracks, hitting the stranded car with force, causing it to spin wildly as metal fragments are flung into the air.
Injured Woman Hospitalized and Bar Damaged
The injured woman was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center, though authorities have not disclosed the severity of her injuries. Witnesses suggested she might have sustained a leg fracture.
The Den, the bar where one of the cars ended up embedded, had its main entrance boarded up with wood by morning. However, its owners announced plans to reopen that same night through a side entrance.
As reported by the Miami Herald, traffic in the area was halted for several hours, from West Broward Boulevard to West Davie Boulevard, and resumed around 6:20 a.m. It remains unclear whether the train involved was a freight or passenger service.
FAQs about the Fort Lauderdale Train Accident
What caused the train accident in Fort Lauderdale?
The accident was caused by vehicles trapped on the railway tracks as the barriers descended and warning lights flashed, leading to a train collision.
How many people were injured in the Fort Lauderdale train accident?
One woman was injured when a car was pushed into her by the force of the collision.
Were there any disruptions caused by the train accident?
Yes, traffic in the area was closed for several hours and was only resumed later in the morning.