Injuries at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton

UPDATED 12/28/15 6:30pm

Roaring Camp Railroad has issued a press release about today’s accident. It says the cause of the abrupt stop, “appears to be due to a mechanical malfunction, but further investigation is under way.”

The Roaring Camp Railroad says the train came to an abrupt stop half way along the route and goes on to thank the Felton Fire Department for its quick response.

While Felton’s Fire Chief says five people were taken by ambulance to a hospital, Roaring Camp gives the number as three.

The press release quotes Roaring Camp CEO Melani Clark as saying, “Passenger safety is our top priority and despite an exemplary safety and maintenance record, we regret today’s incident occurred. Our sincerest apologies to all of our passengers, and especially those who were affected. In the meantime, all of us at Roaring Camp are grateful for the outpouring of concern we have received from the public.”

Roaring Camp says the railroad was inspected and cleared to operate after 2pm.

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It’s billed as a ride into the past on a 19 th Century steam train through redwood forests. On Monday just after noon, four passengers aboard a train at the Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton were injured and ended up riding in an ambulance to a hospital.

Felton Fire Chief Ron Rickabaugh says one of the people on board said at a certain point the train was unable to stop and came to rest on a dirt embankment at the end of the line.

“Some of the passengers got jostled about and there were some minor injuries as a result,” said Rickabaugh.

Rickabaugh says he believes about 50 people were on board and that first responders saw a total of eight people. Four were taken to the hospital with what the fire chief described as relatively minor injuries.

Roaring Camp Railroads is an historical theme park that offers rides on a steam train through redwood forests in Santa Cruz County.