Editorials

Seven minor injuries in  

Amtrak derailment in Hayward 

HAYWARD — An Amtrak train bound for Seattle derailed here after hitting an unknown object, slightly injuring seven people, a company spokeswoman said Thursday. 

There were 287 passengers and 23 crew members about the Coast Starlight, which runs daily from Los Angeles to Seattle, when the accident occurred about 10:10 p.m. Wednesday, said Amtrak spokeswoman Veernae Graham. 

The locomotive hit an unidentified object on the tracks, which are owned by Union Pacific and leased by Amtrak, causing its derailment. Six cars went off the tracks, but all of them were standing upright, Graham said. 

Four passengers were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released. Three others also were taken to area hospitals for minor injuries, Graham said. 

The train was traveling about 60 mph at a junction that allows for speeds up to 70 mph, Graham said. The train’s next scheduled stop was Oakland. 

Passengers were being bused Thursday to destinations beyond the accident site. A majority of them will board another Amtrak train in Sacramento to Seattle, Graham said. That train is expected to arrive in Seattle at 8:25 p.m. Thursday. 

Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Mike Furtney said another set of tracks runs through Hayward, about 25 miles east of San Francisco. The derailment was not expected to cause a “severe impact” on the Capitol Corridor commuter train that runs daily between San Jose and Sacramento, he said. 

Bay water on tap? 

SAN RAFAEL — Who would drink treated San Francisco Bay water? 

The Marin Municipal Water District wants to know, and agreed Wednesday to ask county residents. The move is part of the district’s attempt to increase its water supply. 

One way would be to increase use of Russian River water by building a pipeline from Petaluma to Ignacio. Another option is to remove salt and contaminants from bay water. 

Opponents of the pipeline plan say it will hurt endangered salmon and trout in the river. Those against the bay plan say a desalination plant would cost too much. 

The district will hire a company to establish public focus groups at a cost of about $45,000. 

Those will help the board “have a better handle on the public’s feeling with the supply option,” said president Jared Huffman.