Big Country congressman OK after train wreck

Jan. 31--U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, who represents much of the Big Country, was "doing fine" after the train he was a passenger on collided with a garbage truck Wednesday.

The train was carrying Republican lawmakers to a retreat in West Virginia.

USA TODAY reported there is one confirmed fatality and one serious injury in the crash. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said there were no serious injuries among members of Congress or their staff.

More: Train carrying Republican lawmakers collides with garbage truck; one dead in crash

President Trump, who is also scheduled to travel to West Virginia on Air Force One for the Republican retreat Thursday, has been fully briefed and is receiving regular updates, Sanders said.

A staffer in Conaway's office said the Midland congressman was on the train and had checked in with his staff to say that he was OK and didn't require immediate medical attention.

Conaway later tweeted he was OK.

I am thankful to walk away from today's train collision just fine- sending prayers to those injured and the family of the life lost.

-- Mike Conaway (@ConawayTX11) January 31, 2018

A staffer in U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington's office said that the Lubbock congressman who represents Abilene was driving with his family to the retreat and was not aboard the train.

According to Amtrak, the train collided with a vehicle on the tracks in Crozet, Va., a town about 126 miles away from Washington, D.C.The U.S. Capitol Police, state and local authorities were investigating the scene, while the Amtrak crew was checking the train for damage.

___

(c)2018 the Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas)

Visit the Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas) at www.reporternews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.