(The following story by Denise Goolsby appeared on The Desert Sun website on March 2, 2009.)
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Two cars on a nine-car Amtrak train derailed Sunday night near Palm Springs, an Amtrak official confirmed Monday morning.
The minor derailment happened at 5:50 p.m. and the cars were re-railed by 10 p.m. according to Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham.
One passenger complained of back pain and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, Graham said.
No other injuries were reported.
The Sunset Limited train, which departed from Los Angeles on Sunday, was bound for New Orleans, Graham said.
The train carried 188 passengers. Ninety-one passengers were bussed to locations in Yuma, Maricopa and Tucson, Arizona where they will catch connecting trains to their destinations.
The remaining passengers were bussed to Los Angeles, as no alternate routes were available, Graham said.
The train continued its journey after the derailment, with its final destination changed to San Antonio. The train will return to Los Angeles on Tuesday, Graham said.