Amtrak engineer, conductor killed in train crash near Columbia; 116 others injured
The crash, which involved Amtrak Train 91 heading from
Early estimates indicated that 70 people were injured, but
The two people who died were Amtrak employees, McMaster said.
The
"It's a horrible thing to see," he said of the wreckage, adding that a portion of the Amtrak train was "barely recognizable."
About 140 passengers were on the train, officials said. Passenger injuries ranged from scratches to broken bones,
Dr.
Passengers who were not taken to hospitals are at
Cahill said the first 911 call about the collision came in at
Temperatures were in the upper 30s at the time of the collision.
The Amtrak train's lead engine and some passenger cars derailed, Amtrak said in a statement. Photos posted on social media by reporters at the scene showed at least one Amtrak rail car on its side and several CSX cars and engines damaged.
The wreck happened near a rail yard where several spurs branch off for train cars to be unloaded. Investigators don't know if the Amtrak train was diverted from its track.
About 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the scene, state emergency management officials said. Hazmat crews were dispatched to contain the spill, and there was no threat to the public, they said. McMaster said the
Amtrak said people who are seeking information about their friends and loved ones who may have been involved in the crash can call 1-800-523-9101.
Sunday's collision was the second major crash for Amtrak in less than a week. On Wednesday, a train carrying Republican members of
In December, a passenger train derailed on an overpass near
In 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in
This is a developing story: keep checking back for updates as they come in.
The Associated Press and journalists with
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