AFP/ California
A Los Angeles-bound commuter train derailed early Tuesday after ploughing into a truck on the tracks, injuring at least 30 people, US media reports said.
The accident occurred at around 5:45 am (1345 GMT) near the city of Oxnard in southern California, about 75 miles (120 kilometres) from Los Angeles, according to news reports.
A local fire official told CNN that authorities have detained the driver of the truck, who fled the accident scene.
Television images showed three train cars had careened off the tracks and were on their sides, and the truck was engulfed in flames.
The Metrolink commuter train was carrying scores of passengers toward Los Angeles at the start of the morning rush hour.
Early news reports said there appeared to be no fatalities among the passengers taken to area hospitals for treatment.
CNN, citing fire department officials, said two of the injured were in critical condition.
Metrolink said on Twitter that train services has been suspended between Oxnard and the neighbouring town of Camarillo.
It urged commuters to find other ways of getting to work.
"Please consider using alternate transportation. We are reaching out to bus agencies for assistance. Buses not available at this time," Metrolink tweeted.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Metrolink rail line, which has seen two multi-fatality crashes over the past decade, has made a renewed push to improve safety and restore public confidence.
