An Amtrak passenger train derailed this morning on its
inaugural trip on a new service route near Dupont,
Washington killing several people and causing injuries to an
even greater number.
The train was going south to Portland, Oregon when it
derailed while crossing a bridge over Interstate 5 near
DuPont, Washington around 7:40 a.m on Monday and spilled
some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least six
people, authorities said.
The death toll is expected to rise. Seventy-eight passengers
and five crew members were aboard when the train moving
at more than 80 mph derailed about 40 miles south of
Seattle on a route that had raised safety concerns.
The deaths "are all contained to the train," said Ed Troyer,
the Pierce County Sheriff's Office spokesman. "It's pretty
horrific." Troyer said several vehicles on Interstate 5 were
struck by falling train cars and multiple motorists were
injured, but none killed. Police have not given an official
death count, but the Seattle Times says it's at least six.
Seventy seven were hospitalized.
An official briefed on the investigation told The Associated
Press that preliminary signs indicate that Train 501 may have
struck something before going off the track. The official was
not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and
spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Family of victims were asked to report to the DuPont City
Hall to be reunited with their loved ones. They were told not
to come to the scene.
Meanwhile, President Trump has used the deadly derailment
to call for more infrastructure spending. In a tweet sent
about three hours after the accident, Trump said the wreck
shows "more than ever why our soon to be submitted
infrastructure plan must be approved quickly."
It was not until ten minutes after his initial tweet that he
posted another tweet expressing his sympathies for those
who were killed in the accident.
He wrote: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone
involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank
you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the
scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White
house."
More photos below.