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Amtrak train 501 derailed with cars falling onto I-5 SB in Pierce County, Washington State. The new train service, the Cascades Point Defiance Bypass route, just began today. There is no word on how many injuries or casualties there are at this time, however, it is being reported that the train is a passenger train and is being treated as a “mass casualty” event”. At least 6 killed in Amtrak train derailment outside Seattle.
Amtrak confirms 78 passengers and five crew members on board train that derailed south of Tacoma. Anyone with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101
Amtrak Train Derailment: What Happened?
Amtrak has confirmed that a train has derailed onto Interstate 5 in Pierce County, Washington State.
The new train service just started today. Reportedly, the Lakewood city council was concerned about the speed of the train. It is unclear at this time how fast the train was moving at the time of the accident. Dupont is between Tacoma and Olympia, as the train was traveling south out of Tacoma.
Sources in law enforcement say that the incident is being treated as “mass casualty” event. EdTroyer, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, there are “multiple casualties and injuries”. Reports from NBC indicate that there were about 250 people on the train and 75 people in overturned cars.
Authorities are asking drivers to avoid the area. All southbound lanes of I-5 blocked near Mounts Road in Pierce County.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, the derailed Amtrak passenger train was heading southbound. Injuries and casualties reported and the numbers to come. The media staging area at will be at the Eagles Pride Golf Course.
About Amtrak
Amtrak is a passenger railroad service that provides medium- and long-distance intercity service in the contiguous United States.
Founded in 1971 to take over most of the remaining U.S. passenger rail services, it is partially government funded yet operated and managed as a for-profit corporation.
Amtrak serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces, operating more than 300 trains each day over 21,300 miles. Some of Amtrak’s trains move up to speeds of 150 MPH.
In 2016, Amtrak served 31.3 million passengers and had $2.192 billion in revenue, while employing more than 20,000 people.
