An Amtrak train carrying 243 passengers and crew members struck a dump truck at an “uncontrolled” railroad crossing and derailed in Missouri while traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago on Monday.
According to a press release from Amtrak, multiple cars of an Amtrak Southwest Chief train ran off the tracks in Mendon, Missouri at a public crossing. Amtrak said approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members were aboard the eight-car train.
A Monday evening press conference by the Missouri Highway Patrol confirmed the deaths of three people — two people aboard the train and one inside the dump truck. The official added that there were “multiple injuries” and all injured and uninjured passengers were transported away from the scene.
The official said the railroad crossing was “uncontrolled,” meaning it had no lights or crossing arms, which is typical in rural areas.
Video posted on Twitter shows passengers sitting on top of the train after it derailed.
KAKE News tweeted video that shows the train tipped over on its side next to the tracks with dozens of people standing around and on top of the train.
CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez tweeted, “This video was taken by passenger Robert Nightingale inside the derailed Amtrak train in Missouri shortly after it happened. There are early reports of at least injuries, 200+ passengers onboard. Per law enforcement, ~8 train cars derailed in the crash involving a dump truck.”
A man who claimed he was on the train when it derailed posted photos of the incident on Twitter.
Amtrak Alerts tweeted that the company “is aware of the incident with Train 4 and is working with local authorities.”
“Please continue to check back for updates.We’re currently experiencing longer than usual hold times, but if you need immediate assistance, please call or text 1-800-USA-RAIL,” Amtrak added.
Additional photos were shared by another Twitter user.
“Local authorities are currently assisting customers and we have deployed Amtrak resources to assist,” the company’s statement read.
The incident comes one day after another Amtrak train collided with a car, killing three near San Francisco, California.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the victims were 72-year-old Maria Nieves of Antioch, 51-year-old Mercedes Regalado of Dixon and 41-year-old Julia Mondragon of Dixon, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division said.
Steve Aubert, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District fire marshal, said the train crashed into a car that was crossing the track of Orwood Road.
