Tragic news out of Washington state as an Amtrak train derailment has killed at least three people and injured dozens more.
It’s unclear how many passengers or nearby motorists were killed in the accident. Initial reports are that three people were killed in the accident.
Daily Mail has the details on the story:
Train 501 was going south when it derailed while crossing a bridge over Interstate 5 near DuPont, Washington around 7:40am Pacific Time, causing at least one car to fall onto the freeway below.
Amtrak confirmed its train was involved but did not provide further information.
‘We are aware of an incident involving Amtrak train 501,’ the rail operator said on Twitter. ‘We will update with additional details as they become available.’
It was the first day of the new high-speed Cascade service, which rerouted trains down 14 miles of updated track. The new bypass between Tacoma and DuPont is straighter, meaning that trains can go faster than they did on the old line.
The Washington police have just given an update about the accident:
HAPPENING NOW: Washington State police give update on Amtrak derailment https://t.co/2CyKkppdRE pic.twitter.com/CGwxgw9gUu
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 18, 2017
The pictures from the scene of the accident are horrific:
BREAKING: Multiple fatalities and injuries are reported after an Amtrak train derailed in Washington state pic.twitter.com/FocQe2isuk
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) December 18, 2017
These photos show the Amtrak passenger train after it derailed in Pierce County, Washington.
Here's what we know so far:
– Multiple fatalities inside the train cars, sheriff's office says
– At least 77 patients are being transported to local hospitalshttps://t.co/BdJzsdleQ2 pic.twitter.com/wF44ICIjbB
— CNN (@CNN) December 18, 2017
Right now, traffic is being diverted around the scene. It appears that no motorists were killed during the accident. The fatalities seem to be relegated only to passengers on the train.
Fox News just reported the following:
Chris Karnes, who was on the train — three or four cars back from the front — told The Associated Press: “I’m not sure what got hit. I’m not sure what happened.”
Bova told Fox News’ “Happening Now” that people are advised to avoid Interstate 5 and that clearing the area will be an “all day” process.
More from Fox’s report: “The National Transportation Safety Board said a “go-team” is departing from Washington, D.C., to investigate Monday’s derailment. The Federal Railroad Administration also tweeted it has investigators en route to the scene. WSDOT tweeted that drivers should expect long delays and avoid the area. Southbound Interstate 5 near DuPont was closed shortly after the derailment after traffic backed up for miles.”
This is a breaking story.
