DELRAY BEACH — Delray Beach Fire Chief Ronald Martin on Tuesday issued his first statement regarding a Brightline train collision with a Delray Beach fire truck, pledging that Saturday’s incident will be a “turning point — a moment from which we will learn and grow.”
In a statement posted to the Delray Beach Fire Rescue’s Facebook page, Martin said Fire Rescue was cooperating with investigators from the Delray Beach Police Department, Brightline and the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the facts of the incident.
“We are thankful there were no fatalities and remain committed to working diligently to implement improvements to prevent future incidents,” Martin’s statement said.
“This crash is a sobering reminder that emergency responders must always balance the urgency inherent in their work with caution, ensuring that the safety of our community remains our guiding principle.”
The Saturday morning crash in downtown Delray Beach left three firefighters and 12 Brightline passengers injured. The firefighters were in stable condition at a local hospital and the passengers were treated for minor injuries, city officials said Saturday.