The accident occurred when the eastbound Z-LACNYC9-15 (running from Los Angeles, CA to New York, New York) ran into the last remaining intermodal cars of the westbound Z-WSPALT1-16 (traveling from Willow Springs, IL to Alliance, TX) before it finished entering the passing siding. The reason why the eastbound intermodal hotshot did not slow to allow the westbound to finish entering the siding is the focus of an ongoing investigation. There was no additional information provided by Steve Forsberg, spokesman for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

Four General Electric Dash 9-44CW locomotives, #4101, #4167, #4323, and #4617, as well as the lead intermodal freight car of the eastbound derailed, as well as the last four intermodal freight cars of the westbound were forced off the track by the force of the collision. Diesel fuel spilled from the derailed locomotives causing a consuming fire.

The crew of the eastbound train were treated for minor injuries at an Emporia, KS hospital. No other injuries were reported from the accident, which occurred about 40 miles northeast of Wichita, KS.

Rail traffic was being rerouted through North Dakota and Newton, KS until this section of the Emporium Subdivision is reopened.