Amtrak Cross-Country Train Derails in Montana, 3 Dead (UPDATED)

Sarah RumpfSep 25th, 2021, 9:06 pm
 
amtrak train derailed in montana

Photo by Jacob Cordeiro; used with permission.

An Amtrak train has derailed near Havre, Mont., leaving multiple cars off the track and at least four tipped over on their sides.

Local NBC affiliate KHQ-Spokane reported that the train was the Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle and Chicago. According to the AP, the train derailed between Havre and Shelby in a rural area of north central Montana near the Canadian border.

Emergency responders are at the scene setting up ladders to rescue passengers from the tipped-over train cars. Passengers at the scene have reported fatalities and injuries, but that information that has not yet been confirmed by law enforcement or Amtrak.

Amtrak public relations manager Jason Abrams said in a statement, reported KXLY-Spokane, that five cars of the train derailed around 4:00 pm MT. There were about 147 passengers and 13 crew members onboard.

“Amtrak is working with the local authorities to transport injured passengers, and safely evacuate all other passengers,” said Abrams in the statement. “Additional details will be provided as available.”

The cause of the accident is unknown at this time.

One of train’s passengers, Jacob Cordeiro, posted several photos of the aftermath along with the simple message, “We derailed.”

Cordeiro also posted a video showing passengers walking alongside the derailed train.

UPDATE 10:20 pm ET: KXLY has reported that the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that three people have died. A still unknown number of passengers were injured and taken to Liberty Medical Center. The other passengers were taken by bus to a local high school gymnasium.

This is a breaking news story and has been updated. 

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Sarah Rumpf - Contributing Editor

Sarah Rumpf joined Mediaite in 2020 and is a Contributing Editor focusing on politics, law, and the media. A native Floridian, Sarah attended the University of Florida, graduating with a double major in Political Science and German, and earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the UF College of Law. Sarah's writing has been featured at National Review, The Daily Beast, Reason, Law&Crime, Independent Journal Review, Texas Monthly, The Capitolist, Breitbart Texas, Townhall, RedState, The Orlando Sentinel, and the Austin-American Statesman, and her political commentary has led to appearances on television, radio, and podcast programs across the globe. Follow Sarah on Threads, Twitter, and Bluesky.