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Two dead and dozens injured as Amtrak train hits backhoe near Philadelphia Amtrak crash: two dead and dozens injured after train derails near Philadelphia
(35 minutes later)
Two people were killed when an Amtrak train derailed after hitting a backhoe just south of Philadelphia on Sunday. The train struck the construction equipment at around 8am, causing a derailment. Dozens of injuries were also reported.Two people were killed when an Amtrak train derailed after hitting a backhoe just south of Philadelphia on Sunday. The train struck the construction equipment at around 8am, causing a derailment. Dozens of injuries were also reported.
Related: Amtrak ordered to improve safety and increase speed limit signageRelated: Amtrak ordered to improve safety and increase speed limit signage
The local fire commissioner confirmed that two people had died; their identities were not immediately known. Earlier Mike Tolbert, spokesman for Amtrak, said approximately 31 passengers were transported to area hospitals. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. Chester fire commissioner Travis Thomas said two people were killed, but neither was a passenger on the train. Authorities provided no additional information on the fatalities.
Earlier Mike Tolbert, spokesman for Amtrak, said approximately 31 passengers were transported to area hospitals. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Service on the north-east corridor between New York and Philadelphia was suspended.Service on the north-east corridor between New York and Philadelphia was suspended.
Train 89 was heading from New York to Savannah, Georgia, when it hit a backhoe that was on the track in Chester, about 15 miles outside of Philadelphia, officials said. The impact derailed the lead engine of the train. About 333 passengers and seven crew members were on board.Train 89 was heading from New York to Savannah, Georgia, when it hit a backhoe that was on the track in Chester, about 15 miles outside of Philadelphia, officials said. The impact derailed the lead engine of the train. About 333 passengers and seven crew members were on board.
Local emergency responders were on the scene and the crash was being investigated. Federal Railroad Administration officials had arrived, said Matthew Lehner, a spokesman for the agency.Local emergency responders were on the scene and the crash was being investigated. Federal Railroad Administration officials had arrived, said Matthew Lehner, a spokesman for the agency.
Ari Ne’eman, a disability rights activist heading to Washington after speaking at an event in New York, said he was in the second car at the time of the crash.Ari Ne’eman, a disability rights activist heading to Washington after speaking at an event in New York, said he was in the second car at the time of the crash.
“The car started shaking wildly, there was a smell of smoke, it looked like there was a small fire and then the window across from us blew out,” said Ne’eman, 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland.“The car started shaking wildly, there was a smell of smoke, it looked like there was a small fire and then the window across from us blew out,” said Ne’eman, 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Some of the passengers started to get off after the train stopped, he said, but the conductor quickly stopped them. Officials started evacuating people to the rear of the train and then off and to a local church.Some of the passengers started to get off after the train stopped, he said, but the conductor quickly stopped them. Officials started evacuating people to the rear of the train and then off and to a local church.
“It was a very frightening experience. I’m frankly very glad that I was not on the first car,” where there were injuries, Ne’eman said. “The moment that the car stopped, I said Shema, a Jewish prayer ... I was just so thankful that the train had come to a stop and we were OK.”“It was a very frightening experience. I’m frankly very glad that I was not on the first car,” where there were injuries, Ne’eman said. “The moment that the car stopped, I said Shema, a Jewish prayer ... I was just so thankful that the train had come to a stop and we were OK.”
The derailment comes almost a year after a major derailment in May 2015, in which an Amtrak train originating from Washington DC and bound for New York City derailed in Philadelphia. Eight people were killed and more than 200 were injured.The derailment comes almost a year after a major derailment in May 2015, in which an Amtrak train originating from Washington DC and bound for New York City derailed in Philadelphia. Eight people were killed and more than 200 were injured.
The exact cause of that crash is still under investigation, but authorities have said the train had been traveling twice the speed limit.The exact cause of that crash is still under investigation, but authorities have said the train had been traveling twice the speed limit.