An Amtrak passenger train has collided with a freight train in South Carolina early Sunday morning leaving at least two dead and another 50 injured.
#BREAKING: Two fatalities in passenger train versus freight train. @CountyLex EMS has transported more than 50 injured. #LESM #PIO— Adam Myrick (@adam_myrick) February 4, 2018
An update from the Lexington County Twitter account confirmed at least two fatalities and more than 50 injured have been transported to the hospital.
Pine Ridge train incident update: @CountyLex confirms two fatalities, more than 50 injured transported to the hospital. Shelter for passengers open at Pine Ridge Middle School. Media update @SCEMD at 6:30 a.m. #alert— SCEMD (@SCEMD) February 4, 2018
South Carolina Emergency Management Division also confirmed the accident adding that a shelter for passengers has been opened at Pine Ridge Middle School.
Amtrak issued an official statement saying, "Amtrak Train 91, operating between New York and Miami, came in contact with a CSX freight train at around 2:35 am in Cayce, South Carolina."
The statement also shed some light on the circumstances of the crash, "The lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars. There were 8 crew members and approximately 139 passengers, with injuries reported. Local authorities are on the scene responding. More information will be provided as available."
CSX, the company the freight train belonged to, also issued a statement, "This morning at approximately 2:30 a.m., an incident involving a CSX train and an Amtrak train occurred in Cayce, SC near Dixiana Road and S.R. 26. Reports of injuries have been confirmed."
The statement from CSX went on to say, "An emergency response plan has been activated to provide full support. Lexington County authorities have been notified and are responding to the incident. Additional information will be made available as details of the incident are confirmed."
Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, South Carolina told ABC News they received 25 patients with minor injuries. In emergencies with large numbers of injured it is common for the patients to be divided among varies hospitals so that any one location is not inundated.
All passengers are off of the train at this point.— @CountyofLexington (@CountyLex) February 4, 2018
Palmetto Health Center also received crash victims but the number of patients and their status is not currently clear. The Lexington County Twitter account confirmed that all passengers are off the train.
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Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/amtrak-passenger-train-collides-freight-train-sc-injuries/story?id=52826058
AMTRAK NY/NJ to Miami carrying only 139 passengers. I wonder how many $100K that trip cost the taxpayers..
Why is this waste of tax payer money still running LDX lines outside NY/NJ or DC?