DALLAS (AP) - Authorities say four people are dead and 17 others are injured after a train slammed into a parade float headed to a West Texas event honoring wounded veterans.
Union Pacific spokesman Tom Lange says the train was sounding its horn before it hit the float at a railroad crossing in Midland around 4:40 p.m. Thursday.
Lange says the crossing gate and lights were working at the time. He doesn't know if the train crew saw the float approaching.
City of Midland spokesman Ryan Stout says two people died at the scene and two died at Midland Memorial Hospital.
Hospital officials say six people remained hospitalized Thursday night, including at least one in critical condition.
The parade was set to end at a "Hunt for Heroes" banquet.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
