<mediadc-iframe data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1656369827513,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"0000017d-fe9d-da96-ad7d-ffbf8a5c0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1656369827513,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"0000017d-fe9d-da96-ad7d-ffbf8a5c0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"title":"Amtrak derailment","iFrameEmbedCode":"
","_id":"00000181-a755-d447-ad8b-f7d7aa850000","_type":"00000161-b425-d761-a563-f7e77e270000"}”>Amtrak derailmentAt least three people are dead after an Amtrak train traveling to Chicago struck a dump truck at a railroad crossing and derailed near Mendon, Missouri, on Monday.
Of the three confirmed fatalities, one was in the dump truck at the time, and two others were in one of the approximately eight train cars. “Multiple” other injuries were reported, Justin Dunn of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a press conference.
“All injured and uninjured occupants of the train had been transported from the scene,” Dunn added.
More than 200 passengers and approximately 14 crew members were on board the train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago when it hit the truck at about 1:42 p.m. EST at a crossing that did not have any lights or electronic control devices, derailing seven of the eight cars, one of which was for baggage, officials told reporters.
Amtrak has not provided a specific number of injuries from the derailment, but CNN reports at least 50, citing Eric McKenzie, the superintendent with Chariton County Ambulance Service.
https://twitter.com/cloudmarooned/status/1541496621921361920Multiple agencies are responding to the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board announced it will dispatch a “14 member go-team” to investigate the derailment that is expected to arrive on the scene Tuesday.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Monday that Federal Railroad Administration staff are also en route to Missouri “to support the investigation.”
“I was sitting on the bottom side [of the train], and I just, kind of in shock, and I just sat there,” Rob Nightingale, a passenger on the train, told ABC News. “And then, people started getting out, so someone else opened up the window, and I saw the light and I climbed through.”
https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1541510507039006726?s=20&t=MO1EFDu1gwQJR6rR9Y2r_wAmtrak had previously said the train had eight cars and two locomotives that derailed, carrying approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“On June 27 at 12:42 p.m. CT, Southwest Chief Train 4, traveling eastbound on BNSF track from Los Angeles to Chicago, derailed 8 cars and 2 locomotives after striking a truck that was obstructing a public crossing near Mendon, Missouri. There were approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members onboard with early reports of injuries. Local authorities are currently assisting customers. Our Incident Response Team has been activated, and we are deploying emergency personnel to the scene to help support our passengers, our employees and their families with their needs. Individuals with questions about their friends and family who were traveling aboard this train should call 800-523-9101. Additional details will be provided as available,” the company stated.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
