At Least Three Dead After Washington Amtrak Train Derails and Crashes (UPDATED)
An Amtrak train derailed in Washington State earlier this morning, resulting in a serious number of reported casualties and injures:
Images from scene show Amtrak train derailment near Tacoma, Washington pic.twitter.com/OKr3apzoyE
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 18, 2017
#BREAKING: New photos show @Amtrak derailment near Lacey. [Photos: Maria Fullenwider-Hetland]
Real-time updates: https://t.co/V1JMGude8h pic.twitter.com/LAe3i2C62c
— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) December 18, 2017
PRELIMINARY INFO – Derailed Amtrak passenger train was heading south bound. Injuries and casualties reported, numbers to come. Media staging area at Eagles Pride Golf Course. #PCSD PIO Troyer enroute, will not answer his cell while driving priority.
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) December 18, 2017
Video shows train derailment in Washington state, leaving at least one train car dangling from an overpass. https://t.co/aE3s7jXYTS pic.twitter.com/FBxu9WqqzU
— ABC News (@ABC) December 18, 2017
The Washington State Department of Transportation took to Twitter to warn about the serious accident on the I-5:
***DRIVER AlERT*** All lanes of SB I-5 at Mounts Road closed
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) December 18, 2017
***Driver alert*** Expected extended closure of SB I-5 in DuPont
-Delay trips
-Use alt routes only if needed
– Stay out of the area— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) December 18, 2017
CBS News affiliate KKTV reported that fatalities and major injuries were confirmed in the derailment, and emergency responders are treating it as a “mass casualty incident.”
You can watch live coverage from KIRO 7 above.
We will update this post as more information comes in.
UPDATE –– 11:56 am ET: Amtrak says in a statement on its website, “Amtrak service south of Seattle is temporarily suspended. Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate.”
UPDATE –– 12:27 pm ET: One local law enforcement official made brief comments about the response efforts, confirming there are multiple fatalities:
Sheriff: There are multiple fatalities inside the Amtrak train after derailment in Pierce County, Washington. Multiple cars and trucks were struck by falling train cars.
Follow live updates: https://t.co/BdJzsdleQ2 pic.twitter.com/OuexlGXIgr
— CNN (@CNN) December 18, 2017
UPDATE –– 12:38 pm ET: Amtrak now has this statement on its website:
There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.
Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101. Local emergency responders are on the scene.
UPDATE –– 12:53 pm ET: The Seattle Times is reporting at least three people were killed.
UPDATE –– 1:32 pm ET: Madigan Army Medical Center has already taken in injured patients:
Madigan Army Medical Center has accepted at least 20 patients from Amtrak derailment – @Elizabeth_McLau pic.twitter.com/HyGWgHXvAs
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) December 18, 2017
And Governor Jay Inslee has released a statement on the derailment:
JUST IN | Gov. Jay Inslee releases statement on Amtrak train derailment in Pierce County. #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/9KjhAtD8NF
— Steve McCarron KOMO (@SteveTVNews) December 18, 2017
UPDATE –– 2:19 pm ET: Per the AP, one U.S. official has said at least six people were killed:
BREAKING: U.S. official: At least 6 killed in Amtrak train derailment outside Seattle.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 18, 2017
One local news outlet obtained a radio transmission sent from the scene:
LISTEN: Harrowing radio transmission from Amtrak train derailment: "Amtrak 501. Emergency. Emergency. Emergency. We are on the ground." https://t.co/xyhXhfM7lI pic.twitter.com/WdpJWNaoKL
— ABC News (@ABC) December 18, 2017
UPDATE –– 4:36 pm ET: The CEO of Amtrak has put out a statement:
From Amtrak President and co-CEO Richard Anderson regarding train 501:
“On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, we are deeply saddened by all that has happened today. We will do everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families.”— Amtrak (@Amtrak) December 18, 2017
UPDATE –– 7:28 pm ET: Officials have confirmed three casualties thus far:
JUST IN: DuPont, Washington fire chief confirms three deaths in Amtrak derailment "that we know of and we transported over 100 patients." https://t.co/bjH6jlCr8d pic.twitter.com/0Bm5nKht1b
— ABC News (@ABC) December 19, 2017
[featured image via screengrab]
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