Dozens Hurt As Commuter Train Hits Truck

A Southern California commuter train has collided with a truck, sending train cars tumbling and leaving dozens of passengers injured.

Four people, including the train engineer, are in a critical condition after three cars on the Metrolink train derailed and overturned just before 6am local time.

Fire and rescue crews treated 51 passengers at the crash site in Ventura County, about 65 miles (104km) northwest of Los Angeles.

The driver of the truck, which was engulfed in flames when emergency crews arrived, was found disoriented up to two miles away from the scene.

Authorities said the truck had become stuck on the tracks after the driver made a right turn too early.

The man, identified as a 54-year-old from Arizona, was taken to hospital and is in stable condition.

Officials said he was co-operating with investigators and was not under arrest.

Twenty-eight people were taken to hospitals in the area, Oxnard Fire Department spokesman Sergio Martinez said.

"The extent of injuries ranged from significant head trauma and extremity trauma to neck and back injuries," said Steve Carroll of the Ventura County Emergency Medical Services.

Aerial footage from local television stations showed paramedics treating passengers on tarps that had been laid out on a nearby road.

The train was bound for Los Angeles from Ventura County, according to Metrolink's website.

Initial reports indicated the crossing arm gates and signal lights were functioning properly when the train approached.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration will investigate the crash.