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An Amtrak train heading to South Florida was stranded on Sunday near the town of Hilliard in Nassau County, leaving hundreds of passengers trapped for over five hours in intense heat. Four people, including two minors, were hospitalized due to heat-related issues, local media reported.
The affected train, identified as the Floridian 41, was covering the route between Chicago and Miami. Onboard were 264 people, including 50 Boy Scouts returning from North Carolina. Beth Toll, a regional spokesperson for Amtrak, reported that the train lost main traction power around 10:30 in the morning due to a mechanical failure.
Amtrak indicated on its website that passengers would be transported by bus from Jacksonville to Miami to complete the journey. The disruption occurred during the northern segment of Florida, under extreme heat conditions.
The Nassau County Fire Department attended to 16 people for heat-related symptoms. Four of them — two adults and two minors — were taken to a hospital, where they remain in stable condition, according to official sources confirmed to local media.
Through its official Facebook account, the government of the city of Hilliard shared a video of the operation and expressed gratitude for the joint efforts of multiple agencies, including fire teams, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, emergency management, transportation services, and reinforcements from Georgia. In the message, they emphasized that "every second counts in this extreme heat" and that the coordination and professionalism demonstrated serve as a reminder of the importance of being prepared.
Videos shared on social media also show the deployment of rescue teams in the vicinity of Yellow Rose Lane. A passenger, identified as Mike Brandt on TikTok, claimed that the temperature inside the cars reached 120 °F (49 °C) and that paramedics alerted Amtrak about the dangerous conditions.
According to a report by the Miami Herald, the railway company announced that it will refund the full fare to affected passengers and will offer transportation vouchers for future routes.
The Floridian line was inaugurated in November 2024 as a direct Amtrak service between Miami and Chicago, featuring a journey of nearly 48 hours with intermediate stops in cities such as Jacksonville, Orlando, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.
Frequently asked questions about the Amtrak train incident in Florida
What caused the breakdown of the Amtrak Floridian 41 train?
The breakdown of the Amtrak Floridian 41 was due to a mechanical failure that resulted in the loss of main traction power around 10:30 in the morning. This left the train stranded near Hilliard, Florida, for over five hours.
How many passengers were affected and what measures were taken?
The train was carrying 264 people on board, including 50 Scouts from America. Four individuals, including two minors, were hospitalized due to heat-related issues. Amtrak arranged buses to transport the passengers from Jacksonville to Miami and promised to refund the full fare to the affected passengers.
How was the emergency of the train stranded in extreme heat managed?
The Nassau County Fire Department attended to 16 individuals for heat-related symptoms. Four of them were transported to the hospital in stable condition. Local authorities highlighted the coordination and professionalism of the emergency agencies involved in the rescue operation.
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