This morning, an Amtrak train derailed in Washington State causing multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries. The train departed Tacoma, Washington just before 8 a.m. on a brand new route which launched today. Atleast 3 people were killed.
NEW: NBC’s @anblanx reports that there are multiple deaths and injuries following an Amtrak train derailment in Tacoma, WA. Cause of the crash is under investigation: pic.twitter.com/X8Hu2Yx4F2
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) December 18, 2017
New photo of the Washington Amtrak crash via @wspd1pio. pic.twitter.com/MhuE61QK2B
— Laura J. Nelson (@laura_nelson) December 18, 2017
Crazy Amtrak crash on I-5. pic.twitter.com/Rx8IQNjxCV
— Thinker (@areta) December 18, 2017
Five motor vehicles, along with two semi-trucks were hit by the derailed train The train’s cars were scattered around the surrounding woods.
Amtrak derailment survivor describes moment of impact: “We were catapulted at the seats in front of us and the next thing that we knew, our car had crumpled at a portion at the top and we were down an embankment.” https://t.co/4XVUQcjLZV pic.twitter.com/HN4cPV3q1s
— Yahya Ali (@Yahyaalireal) December 18, 2017
The Cascades service from Seattle to Portland was supposed to be rated for a maximum of 79 m.p.h. from where it derailed in DuPont. The last known speed of the train was 81 m.p.h.
According to updated reports, the train was going roughly 80 m.p.h. in a 30 m.p.h. zone where it crashed.
BREAKING: NTSB: Data recorder shows derailed Amtrak train was traveling at 80 mph in a 30 mph zone.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 19, 2017
Passengers say that after the derailment, emergency doors weren’t working correctly, so they had to knock out windows to exit.
Latest Amtrak derailment updates: https://t.co/rs92i38VUt
• 13 of 14 train cars jumped the tracks
• 5 motor vehicles were struck by the derailed train
• 2 semi trucks also hit pic.twitter.com/mbJ6hAijgB— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 18, 2017
“We heard a creaking [sound],” Chris Karnes told ABC News. “The train started to wobble for a moment. And then we were catapulted at the seats in front of us and the next thing that we knew, our car had crumpled at a portion at the top and we were down an embankment.”
LATEST: New images from the Amtrak crash scene in Tacoma, WA where there are confirmed injuries and fatalities, @anblanx reports. https://t.co/NjlofTwQrD pic.twitter.com/ZOOHc6InH3
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) December 18, 2017
Kimberley Reason, a spokeswoman for the Regional Transit Authority claims that the track was recently updated so that the state’s department of transportation could run the brand new Cascade route there.
Updates will be posted as they come in.
— PJ Amirata