The Amtrak train wreck in West Virginia was far worse than initially reported.
When we published the breaking story earlier this afternoon, there were no reported injuries outside of a few sprained joints. But as details came in about the accident, reports of injuries grew worse.
On the scene of an @Amtrak train crash in Crozet. Police say it is a HAZMAT situation. #Charlottesville @CBS19News #Virginia pic.twitter.com/mSSHaVoJlh
— Jack Durkin (@DurkinWeather) January 31, 2018
One fatality has been reported. And one congressman has been rushed to the hospital:
NEW: Spokeswoman for the Congressional Institute, which is sponsoring the retreat, confirms the following to @NBCNews:
– 1 fatality
– 1 critically injured
– 1 member sent to the hospital
– 1 member & 1 staffer being examined
– First aid being offered on train— Marianna Sotomayor (@MariannaNBCNews) January 31, 2018
The congressman hospitalized is Rep. Jason Lewis of Minnesota. Zero Hedge reports: “ABC has identified the Congressman who was hospitalized today following a train accident near Charlottesville, Va. that left one dead. It is Minnesota Rep. Jason Lewis, who represents Minnesota’s suburban second district. The district encompasses most of the twin cities’ southeastern suburbs, as well as slice of St. Paul.”
This is highly unfortunate. But we should keep in mind that the accident could have been much worse. Reports indicate that there were over a dozen Republican congressmen on the train, including Greg Walden, Paul Ryan, Chuck Fleischmann, Lloyd Smucker, Steve Womack, Jeff Denham, Jeff Flake, Kevin Kramer, and Pete Sessions.
Rep. Lewis could use our prayers at this time. Vice President Mike Pence is encouraging everyone to keep Lewis and all the injured in their thoughts and prayers:
Getting regular updates on the Amtrak crash involving members of Congress and their families. Praying for all involved & grateful for the swift action of first responders. @POTUS and I will continue to monitor closely. I’m heading to WV later today.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) January 31, 2018
Share this story over Facebook now. And please pray for Congressman Lewis’s quick recovery!
