9 hurt as train derails, car plunges into California creek

In this image provided the Alameda County Fire Department, first responders work the scene after a car of a commuter train plunged into Alameda Creek after the train derailed Monday, March 7, 2016, in Alameda County, Calif., about 45 miles east of San Francisco. Crews had to fight the creek's fast-moving currents to pull riders from the partially submerged rail car, Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said. (Aisha Knowles/Alameda County Fire Department via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT In this image provided the Alameda County Fire Department, first responders work the scene after a car of a commuter train plunged into Alameda Creek after the train derailed Monday, March 7, 2016, in Alameda County, Calif., about 45 miles east of San Francisco. Crews had to fight the creek's fast-moving currents to pull riders from the partially submerged rail car, Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said. (Aisha Knowles/Alameda County Fire Department via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press March 8, 2016 3 min read

SUNOL, Calif. (AP) – A commuter train struck a tree and derailed in storm-soaked Northern California, plunging its lead car into a rain-swollen creek and sending passengers scrambling in the dark to get out of the partially submerged car.

Nine people were injured, four seriously, the Alameda County Fire Department said.

Rescuers battled the creek’s fast-moving currents Monday night to pull riders to safety, Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said.

“It was dark, wet, it was raining. It was very chaotic,” Kelly said. “This is an absolute miracle that no one was killed, no passengers or first responders.”

The San Francisco Bay Area has been inundated with thunderstorms in recent days that have swamped roadways and creeks. On Monday, some San Francisco Bay Area roads were under more than a foot of water. Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties saw about 11 inches of rain over the weekend.