An Amtrak passenger train has derailed and fallen on to a busy highway in Washington State in America’s northwest, killing several passengers, authorities said.
A spokesman for the local sheriff’s office, Ed Troyer, told reporters at the scene there were “multiple” deaths at the scene – roughly 50 miles southwest of Seattle – but did not have a specific number to report.
He also said no motorists were killed, though some were injured when part of the train struck several vehicles around 7.30am (1530 GMT).
Reuters reports that 77 people have been taken to hospital. About 70 people were aboard the train, local news media reported, citing the state transportation department.
Amtrak passenger Chris Karnes told local news outlet KIRO 7 that passengers were forced to kick out train windows in order to escape, because emergency doors were not functioning properly following the derailment.
“We had just passed the city of DuPont and it seemed like we were going around a curve,” Karnes said. “All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill.”
“The next thing we know, we’re being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there’s water gushing out of the train. People were screaming,” he added.
Photos from the scene show a carriage hanging from the bridge blocking all southbound lanes on the Interstate 5 in DuPont.
The derailment occurred on the first day that Amtrak trains began using a new track between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia, part of a project to reduce travel time, according to an October news release from the state’s transportation department.
All SB lanes of I-5 blocked near Mounts Road in Pierce County due to derailed train car. Avoid area! pic.twitter.com/SBH7dCc6yg
DEVELOPING: Amtrak train derails onto Interstate 5 in Washington state https://t.co/dZOridEMVO pic.twitter.com/TNddjFW2oN
We are aware of an incident involving Amtrak train 501. We will update with additional details as they become available.
The new route takes trains along Interstate 5, eliminating a major choke point for passenger trains in Tacoma, the release said.
It was not immediately clear whether the derailment, which came during a busy travel time one week before the Christmas holiday, was connected to the new route.
Amtrak confirmed its train was involved and said “some injuries” had been reported but did not immediately offer further details.
“We are aware of an incident involving Amtrak train 501,” the rail operator said on Twitter. “We will update with additional details as they become available.”
The Sheriff’s office confirmed “injuries and casualties”.
Local news media said no motorists had died in the accident, but there were “fatalities on the train”.
PRELIMINARY INFO – Derailed Amtrak passenger train was heading south bound. Injuries and casualties reported, numbers to come. Media staging area at Eagles Pride Golf Course. #PCSD PIO Troyer enroute, will not answer his cell while driving priority.
December 18, 2017
Several cars on I5 struck by derailed Amtrak train cars. Multiple motorists injured on roadway, no fatalities of motorists reported.
#BREAKING: Sheriff’s office confirms fatalities, people trapped after train derailment on I-5. https://t.co/R747O9OHIE
The train had been scheduled to leave Seattle at 6am (1400 GMT) and arrive in Portland, Oregon, at 9:20am (1720 GMT), according to an Amtrak timetable.
Monday was the first day that Amtrak offered a 6am departure on its Amtrak Cascades line as part of the rerouting project.
WSP diverting traffic at DuPont. WSP aiding withbroad closure & getting assistance to scene. pic.twitter.com/fRw4uGNIVv
Amtrak train # 501 was part of a new high-speed service that just launched today, CBS affiliate @KIRO7Seattle reports https://t.co/2CyKkppdRE pic.twitter.com/XKqbNYfyMW — CBS News (@CBSNews) December 18, 2017
#BREAKING: New photos show @Amtrak derailment near Lacey. [Photos: Maria Fullenwider-Hetland] Real-time updates: https://t.co/V1JMGude8h pic.twitter.com/LAe3i2C62c — KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) December 18, 2017
DuPont: This SB I-5 closure is a huge pinch point. Expect all alt routes to have heavy traffic. Here is one alternative that might work for you if you must drive. #I5MountsTrain pic.twitter.com/Yn4ZFBe9md
December 18, 2017
#BreakingNews high speed @Amtrak train hanging over I-5 at Mounts road. First responders treating this as a mass casualty incident. No official word on injuries yet. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/bSXstBQNdJ — Terry Griffin (@TerryKIRO7) December 18, 2017
Authorities warned drivers to avoid the area, and the southbound lanes remained closed.
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Twitter that it was gathering information about the incident.
“Thank you to the first responders on the scene. We’re praying for everyone on board the train, and ask everyone to hold them in your thoughts,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote in a Twitter message.
The mayor of one of the towns through which the rerouted trains travel warned earlier this month that the high-speed trains were dangerously close to cars and pedestrians.
“Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens,” Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson told transportation officials in early December, according to Seattle’s KOMO News.
A photograph posted on Twitter by the Washington State Department of Transportation showed a train car that had apparently veered off a bridge onto the highway below. The agency said southbound lanes were closed, and warned drivers to avoid the area.
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Twitter that it was gathering information about the incident.