An Amtrak train derailed Monday morning in Washington state outside of Tacoma, causing at least one train car to fall onto an interstate highway below—at least six people were killed.
Officials said ‘multiple’ fatalities occurred when the Amtrak train derailed along Interstate 5—at least 77 people have been taken to the hospital. The deaths “are all contained to the train,” Ed Troyer, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office spokesman told CNN. “It’s pretty horrific.”
Amtrak said it was “aware of an incident involving Amtrak train 501” in a Twitter post. A U.S. official told the Associated Press preliminary signs ‘indicate the Amtrak train may have struck something on the track’ before derailing.
Amtrak officials said the train was the No. 501, which operates between Seattle and Portland.
The train had just begun using a new high-speed route Monday morning.
Two weeks earlier, the Mayor of Lakewood predicted a deadly accident. KOMO reported: Mayor Don Anderson said grade separations – such as overpasses – should be included to keep trains away from cars and pedestrians.
“Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens,” Anderson said.
Amtrak service south of Seattle is temporarily suspended. Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate.
LIVE COVERAGE:
DEVELOPING: Amtrak train derails onto Interstate 5 in Washington state https://t.co/dZOridEMVO pic.twitter.com/TNddjFW2oN
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 18, 2017
The train has derailed. Emergency crews are on the scene. Massive damage. People are hurt. pic.twitter.com/f62gjUrZN1
— Chris Karnes ???? (@TacomaTransit) December 18, 2017
More photos from scene of Amtrak train derailment- https://t.co/icnGKdNPXJ pic.twitter.com/KowdEuz6ym
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 18, 2017
