by Eli Panken
Fire erupted after two trains crashed head-on Tuesday in northern Texas, injuring one person and leaving three crew members missing.
The trains collided just before 8:30 a.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET) east of Panhandle, Texas, along Highway 60, according to Panhandle City Hall officials.
Officials said the city was draining its water supply to fill fire trucks' tanks as it desperately tried to quell the flames.
Panhandle was evacuating the east side of town due to the smoke from the fiery wreck, according to NBC affiliate KAMR. Residents were instructed to go to the local courthouse or war memorial.
Emergency crews rush to the scene after two trains collided near Panhandle, TX on June 28, 2016. Christi Lynn Whitmire
One patient from the crash was taken to Northwest Texas Healthcare System in nearby Amarillo, Texas. He is in stable, non-critical condition, according to the hospital's marketing director, Patrick Buckley. The hospital is prepared for more patients if needed.
Both trains in the crash are from the BNSF railway company, said Joe Faust, director of public affairs for BNSF in Texas. Four employees were involved in the incident and BNSF investigative crews are on the scene to assist in rescue efforts, according to the statement. KAMR reported that three crewmembers are unaccounted for at this time.
The train company experienced a similar head-on collision in Louisiana in December 2013, according to NBC affiliate KCBD.
