UPDATE: As of 6:25 p.m. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol has issued the following statement regarding today's crash of Amtrak's Southwest Chief.
"At approximately 12:43 p.m. today, the Chariton County 911 Center received a 911 call of a vehicle struck by a train on Porche Prairie Avenue in Chariton County, southwest of Mendon, Mo."
"At approximately 1:02 p.m., first responders began to arrive on scene. Preliminary investigation indicates an Amtrak passenger train traveling to Chicago, Illinois, struck a dump truck at the railroad crossing on Porche Prairie Avenue. The train had approximately 8 cars, including a baggage car. Seven cars have derailed. There are multiple injuries and we can confirm there are 3 fatalities — 2 on the train and 1 in the dump truck. Personnel are currently working to secure the scene. The train had approximately 207 passengers and crew members. All injured and uninjured occupants of the train have been transported from the scene."
"Agencies involved include the Chariton County, Linn County, Macon County, Randolph County Sheriff’s Offices, Brookfield and Macon Police Departments, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Park Rangers, Missouri State Fire Marshals, and State Emergency Management Agency. Ambulances from Chariton, Linn, Randolph, Livingston, Macon, Howard, Carroll and Caldwell Counties as well as medical helicopters from multiple service providers responded to the scene. Each agency transported multiple victims to area hospitals."
Officials from Amtrak are responding to the scene and the NTSB has been advised.
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UPDATE: As of 5:40 p.m. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol says at least three people have been killed in the accident. Two were aboard the train and the third was the driver of the truck. Numerous people have been taken to hospitals in Kansas City and the surrounding area. We do not have word on if any area residents boarded the Chief Monday morning at this time.
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UPDATE: As of 3:50 p.m.
STATEMENT FROM AMTRAK:
On June 27 at 12:42 p.m. CT, Southwest Chief Train 4, traveling eastbound on BNSF track from Los Angeles to Chicago, derailed 8 cars and 2 locomotives after striking a truck that was obstructing a public crossing near Mendon, Missouri. There were approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members on board with early reports of injuries. Local authorities are currently assisting customers. Our Incident Response Team has been activated, and we are deploying emergency personnel to the scene to help support our passengers, our employees, and their families with their needs. Individuals with questions about their friends and family who were traveling aboard this train should call 800-523-9101. Additional details will be provided as available.
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MENDON, Mo. — Amtrak's Southwest Chief has been involved in a crash and derailment in Missouri. The accident happened around 12:42 p.m. Monday after the eastbound Chief hit a dump truck at high speed near Mendon, Missouri, which is about 100 miles east of Kansas City.
The company said that 243 passengers were on board the train and there have been multiple injuries. Amtrak has already canceled the westbound Southwest Chief scheduled to leave Chicago Monday afternoon and arrive in Hutchinson Tuesday morning. Photos from passengers show the entire train laying on its side.
The investigation into the accident is underway by the NTSB and Amtrak.
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