Train Carrying US Republican Lawmakers Hits Truck, One Death Reported

Representative Image (Photo: REUTERS/Steve Dipaola)

Washington: An Amtrak passenger train carrying Republican members of the US Congress from Washington to a party retreat in West Virginia slammed into a garbage truck on Wednesday in Crozet, Virginia, killing at least one person who was not aboard the train, according to authorities and media reports.

Amtrak said in a statement that the collision occurred at 11:20am and that “there are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members.”

“Local law enforcement is investigating the incident and crews are inspecting equipment for damage,” Amtrak added.
Fox News reported that one person died, and that the individual had not been a passenger.
Passengers had a “few bumps and bruises,” one passenger on the train told Reuters. US Representative Carlos Curbelo told MSNBC there were minor injuries but “most people are OK.”

“We’re fine, but our train hit a garbage truck. Members with medical training are assisting the drivers of the truck,” Representative Greg Walden wrote on Twitter.

The train was taking lawmakers to an annual retreat being held this year in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, just west of the Virginia state line.

The Republican retreat, an opportunity for lawmakers to discuss both legislation and politics in the run-up to November’s congressional elections, was scheduled to go until midday Friday. President Donald Trump was considering attending.

A dispatcher for the Albemarle County Police Department said police and fire and rescue units had been sent to the crash site but had no information about injuries.