Coffman, Gardner reported ‘OK’ in Amtrak train – truck collision in Virginia

Jan. 31--View Comments

Colorado's U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman was among the Republican lawmakers on board an Amtrak train that collided with a truck Wednesday while en route to an annual party conference in West Virginia but he is "OK," according to his Twitter account.

"Rep. Coffman was onboard Amtrak train that collided w/truck, he is ok," according to a tweet from Coffman's account. "We ask for prayers for all involved in this accident & appreciate everyone's calls.. story is still developing. -- Staff."

Colorado U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was also on the train and uninjured.

"We appear to have hit a garbage truck," said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who was reached by telephone on board the train.

"It looks like it's been maybe cut in half. We can see garbage strewn around and we can see the back half of the truck. There was a feeling of an impact and you could feel we had hit something. It took us maybe a quarter mile to stop."

Lee said there are a few people "roughed up. Most of us hit a knee or a head on the seat in front of us but nothing too serious on board. I'm not sure about the driver of the truck yet."

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) called the crash "loud and surprising. Some minor bumps and bruises in this car. We saw debris go by the left side of the train. The part of the truck we can see was decimated. Very relieved when the train came to a stop and still on the tracks."

The White House is confirming one fatality and one serious injury from the incident.

White House Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says there are no serious injuries among members of Congress or congressional staff.

Sanders says President Donald Trump has been fully briefed on the matter and is receiving regular updates.

The train carrying the lawmakers hit a garbage truck south of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Lawmakers are heading to their annual legislative retreat at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

The Republican lawmakers were scheduled to hear from Vice President Pence later Wednesday. President Trump was scheduled to address the group on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back with ColoradoPolitics.com for more.

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