Train hits van outside Trinidad, killing 5, including 3 children

A young girl is the lone survivor of a mangled van struck by a Los Angeles-bound Amtrak train in southern Colorado, killing five other passengers Sunday, authorities said.

Steve Miller his wife Christina were killed, as were their three daughters Abigail, Kathryn and Ellianna, who were six years, two years and eight months old respectively.

One occupant, a 4-year-old, was airlifted to Denver Hospital with injuries police described as serious.

There was a total of 286 passengers on board at the time of the crash, Kopta said.

The accident happened near Trinidad in Las Animas County, roughly 200 miles south of Denver. The driver and passengers were all wearing seat belts or restraints, they said.

An initial investigation by troopers revealed the van was not stopped on the railroad tracks at the time of the crash just outside Trinidad.

The train resumed traveling at 5:25 p.m. Alcohol and drug use are not suspected in the crash.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The Millers were on their way to church when their van was struck by the Amtrak train. The agency attributes the dramatic decrease to engineering improvements, better enforcement of traffic safety laws, and education of motorists.