Washington: 3 passengers killed, 100 injured in Amtrak train derailment
At least three people were killed and 100 injured when an Amtrak train crashed on to a highway after getting derailed and falling off a railway bridge. The accident occurred while the train was on its inaugural ride on a new rail link outside Tacoma, Washington. Authorities suspect that over speeding may have caused the accident. Let's see what's happening on the ground.
What happened?
Train 501, which met with the accident, was plying between Seattle (Washington) and Portland (Oregon) and carried 77 passengers. Chris Karnes, a passenger, said that when the train derailed it felt like it was traveling at about 70-80 mph. "At a certain point the train started to wobble .... and the next thing that we knew we were in a ditch," he added.
What does President Trump have to say?
Where did the accident occur?
The accident occurred on Amtrak's new rail route named "The Point Defiance Bypass Project." It was touted as a significant improvement over an older route hugging the scenic Puget Sound coastal area. The new route was intended to facilitate speedier rail services south of Tacoma. Some local leaders had earlier expressed concerns about the danger from high-speed trains operating dangerously close to highways.
How did the accident occur?
Sources say investigators are probing the possibility that the train might have been traveling at a speed of 80mph in a zone where the speed limit was 30mph. Amtrak still hasn't zeroed in on over-speeding as the cause of the accident. An Amtrak official has said that the train was not equipped with "positive train control technology" which helps avoid derailments from over-speeding.
Damages and casualties
"Multiple cars and trucks were struck by train cars that left the train tracks and went down onto the road," said Detective Ed Toyer, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. "The fatalities are all contained to the train," he added. Several passengers reportedly suffered back/neck injuries. So far, three people have been found dead. Authorities warn that the death toll could rise.
