LOS ANGELES – An Amtrak passenger train has killed multiple passengers after it derailed on a new route for the first time over Washington state highway on Monday.
Ed Troyer, spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said it is not yet clear what caused the fatal accident, but confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of experts to investigate the incident.
“We are not sure at this moment what really caused the accident but investigations are underway,” said Troyer.
“There’s multiple fatalities,” added Troyer “it’s pretty horrific.”
The train was carrying 78 passengers including five crew members but Troyer did not confirm the number of people who have died.
“I cannot confirm the death toll at the moment, but several injured people have been taken to local hospitals for medical check-up and treatments, …several are in serious condition.”
According to officials, the train overturned onto a busy highway at the height of rush hour with multiple vehicles on the road crushing against each other.
Officials say the train was part of a newly expanded rail service along the route linking Seattle and Portland, Oregon.
US President Donald Trump sent his condolences to victims who died and wished all those injured a speedy recovery.
He also highlighted the need to urgently invest in infrastructure to avoid such calamities from happening in the future.
“The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly,” he wrote.
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