 At 5 : 20 pm , rescuers first entered car 1079 , the lead car of train 112 . This car had telescoped over the rear car of the stationary train , trapping many passengers who required rescue by emergency workers using ladders for access . Survivors described the crash as " like ... hit [ ting ] a concrete wall , " with air clouded by smoke and debris , and panic among passengers when car doors did not immediately open . 
