An Amtrak passenger train travelling near Seattle, Washington state has Derailed and is being considered a mass casualty incident.
Live video and photos coming from the event appear to show multiple train cars hanging from an Interstate 5 overpass near the town of Dupont.
Amtrak 501
The derailed train, Amtrak 501, left Seattle around 6 a.m. this morning. It is believed that 3-7 cars have derailed.
The train is part of Amtrak's Cascades line that connects 18 cities including Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and Eugene.
An Amtrak spokesperson released a statement saying, "Emergency crews are on the scene and the Amtrak Management is responding.
Some injuries are reported. Service between Seattle and Portland is suspended for the time being."
We are aware of an incident involving Amtrak train 501. We will update with additional details as they become available.
— Amtrak (@Amtrak) December 18, 2017
Witnesses
Witnesses at the scene reported that cars were swerving to miss the falling train resulting in many casualties.
Chris Karnes, a passenger on the train, described the scene to CBS news affiliate KIRO-TV. "We had just passed the city of DuPont and it seemed like we were going around a curve. 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."
Speaking with CNN, witness Greg Mukai, told CNN, "I was travelling to work this morning along I-5 and we came to a sudden stop. We all tried to stop quickly to avoid running into each other, to be honest. Once we all came to a stop I was able to look up and see, unfortunately, this scary thing of ... a train hanging off of the overpass.
Lots of military personnel and people ran to try to help the best they could."
WSP diverting traffic at DuPont. WSP aiding withbroad closure & getting assistance to scene. pic.twitter.com/fRw4uGNIVv
— Trooper Brooke Bova (@wspd1pio) December 18, 2017
Recent updates
Google maps images of the location of the crash show a sharp turn that could be a potential factor in the crash.
The Department of Transportation reported that the train was running on a new line that was specifically designed to avoid slow turns.
All lanes of traffic remain blocked on Interstate-5. Two trucks are currently trapped underneath the derailed cars, but no highway traffic fatalities are reported at this time.
The Mayor of Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee tweeted, "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."
There are no reports or indications, at this time, for the exact cause of the derailment.
