An Amtrak passenger train making its inaugural run on a new service route during the morning rush hour derailed near Dupont, Wash, according to CNN and other sources.
The incident occurred as the train was crossing a trestle above Interstate 5. Multiple cars veered off the track and plunged down onto the highway, killing several people on the train and injuring dozens more.
Several motorists in vehicles that were struck by the falling train cars suffered injuries, but there were no fatalities among people in the vehicles.
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The incident occurred at 7:40 a.m. near DuPont, between Tacoma and Olympia. Greg Mukai, a passenger in car driving toward the trestle at the time of the derailment , spoke with CNN by phone, telling reporters:
I was traveling to work this morning along I-5 and we came to a sudden stop. We all tried to stop quickly to avoid running into each other to be honest. Once we all came to a stop I was able to look up and see, unfortunately, this scary thing of … a train hanging off of the overpass. Lots of military personnel and people ran to try to help the best they could.
From the CNN coverage:
- About 77 people were transported to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston counties, officials said. Four of them suffered serious injuries, according to Cary Evans, spokesman for CHI Franciscan Health.
- The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to investigate.
- Photos from the scene show at least one train car on the road, with another dangling over it.
- President Trump has been briefed on the incident.
This is a developing story. Updates will be added as new information becomes available.