Train carrying GOP lawmakers to policy retreat hits truck
No serious injuries were reported among those on the train, an Amtrak charter that set out from the nation's capital with lawmakers and staff for the luxury
At least two people in the truck were reported seriously hurt. They were not immediately identified.
The collision took place around
Rothfus on board
Moments before the collision, Rothfus was chatting about
"Then there was a loud thud," Rothfus told the Tribune-Review by phone Wednesday afternoon from a bus en route to the retreat.
"It shook the train, and the train came to an abrupt halt," Rothfus continued. "I looked out the window and there was the truck that the train had hit and spun around, with obvious damage to the cab, and the load of garbage that was on the flatbed was knocked off and all spilled out."
Rothfus announced he was unharmed via Twitter soon after the incident. Later, he tweeted that first-responders at the scene were "working nonstop to care for those injured in this tragic incident."
I am grateful for the first responders who rushed to the scene and have been working non-stop to care for those injured in this tragic incident. pic.twitter.com/DTAGaN6i7Z
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Florida Rep.
They broke into three teams to help the injured people in the truck, he said.
"The first gentleman was somebody who had really, really, really devastating injuries. We did try to resuscitate, but ultimately you had to realize it wasn't possible," Dunn said.
He said another man in the truck was critically injured and a third was seriously hurt.
Other doctor-lawmakers who helped included:
Wenstrup also treated some of the victims during last June's shooting of
There were 3 people in the truck that was straddling the track and which the train hit. One is dead. One I am told is being transported but has minor injuries. One has serious injuries--please pray. Laura & I & multiple other physicians tended to the patients until EMTs showed up. https://t.co/qAmoofxakV
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My wife Kathryn and I were traveling to the annual House Republican retreat when our train collided with a truck, we are ok. We went to the scene and did what we could to help the injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic accident and their families.
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Clarinda and I were on the train that crashed today, but we are both doing OK. Please join us in praying for the injured.
-- Dr.
Officials gave varying figures on the number injured in Wednesday's accident. Amtrak said two crew members and three passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
"Most folks on the train were OK, though the mood was very somber and sad," Rothfus said. "There were a few folks taken off the train for minor injuries like whiplash."
Rep.
"I looked out the side of the window and then I could see a truck, just in pieces out the side of the window," Comer said. "It was a garbage truck that was apparently, I would assume, trying to cross the tracks."
One lawmaker aboard the train,
Authorities gave no details on the cause of the wreck, which took place at a crossing protected by gates, flashing lights, bells and warning signs. The
A spokesman for
Kelly told CNBC that he did not make the train because he had too much work to do before leaving the office for the weekend. But he was emphasized he was touched that so many people had reached out to him and his aides to see if he was hurt.
"My phone has been lighting up with friends from back home," Kelly said on
Glad to be able to share my thoughts on the #TrainCrash in
-- Rep.
I'm no Republican, but I won't politicize this fatal event. GOPers were told to stay on the train. Several didn't. They tried to help those from the garbage truck and reportedly even performed CPR. They were humans helping humans, and that's great to know.
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The policy retreat, an annual event, is scheduled to last three days and feature speeches from President
House Speaker
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by this incident," Sanders said.
Today's incident was a terrible tragedy. We are grateful for the first responders who rushed to the scene and we pray for the victims and their families. May they all be in our thoughts right now.
--
The Associated Press contributed.
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