This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/04/us/amtrak-train-derails-outside-of-philadelphia.html

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Amtrak Collision With Backhoe Leaves 2 Dead, Officials Say Amtrak Crash Leaves 2 Dead, Officials Say
(about 1 hour later)
CHESTER, Pa. — An Amtrak train derailed southwest of Philadelphia, killing two people and injuring dozens more after striking a railroad backhoe on the tracks early Sunday, the authorities said.CHESTER, Pa. — An Amtrak train derailed southwest of Philadelphia, killing two people and injuring dozens more after striking a railroad backhoe on the tracks early Sunday, the authorities said.
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, who was briefed by an Amtrak official, told reporters during a news conference that the two people who died were Amtrak workers, a backhoe operator and a supervisor.Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, who was briefed by an Amtrak official, told reporters during a news conference that the two people who died were Amtrak workers, a backhoe operator and a supervisor.
Officials said the accident occurred when the lead engine of Amtrak’s Train 89, running from New York City to Savannah, Ga., struck the equipment and came off the tracks shortly before 8 a.m. in Chester, Pa.Officials said the accident occurred when the lead engine of Amtrak’s Train 89, running from New York City to Savannah, Ga., struck the equipment and came off the tracks shortly before 8 a.m. in Chester, Pa.
Amtrak said in a statement that more than 30 passengers had been transported to hospitals, though none had life-threatening injuries. The railroad did not return calls seeking comment about the deaths.Amtrak said in a statement that more than 30 passengers had been transported to hospitals, though none had life-threatening injuries. The railroad did not return calls seeking comment about the deaths.
The collision was powerful enough to mangle the front of the engine, shattering its windshield, and jolt many people from their seats. Several witnesses described seeing flames shoot up.The collision was powerful enough to mangle the front of the engine, shattering its windshield, and jolt many people from their seats. Several witnesses described seeing flames shoot up.
“The direct impact was big,” a passenger, Adriene Hobdy, said in a telephone interview. “It was terrible, absolutely terrible.“The direct impact was big,” a passenger, Adriene Hobdy, said in a telephone interview. “It was terrible, absolutely terrible.
“All you felt was boom, boom, boom boom. Our windows flew out. People were trying to get on the floor, trying to walk.”“All you felt was boom, boom, boom boom. Our windows flew out. People were trying to get on the floor, trying to walk.”
It was unclear why the maintenance equipment was on a live section of track Sunday morning. Cpl. Steven Byrne of the Chester Police Department said an understanding of how the accident unfolded remained sketchy.It was unclear why the maintenance equipment was on a live section of track Sunday morning. Cpl. Steven Byrne of the Chester Police Department said an understanding of how the accident unfolded remained sketchy.
“We’re trying to make way through this mess,” he said.“We’re trying to make way through this mess,” he said.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration were being dispatched to Chester, the agencies said.Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration were being dispatched to Chester, the agencies said.
The train was carrying about 340 passengers and seven crew members, Amtrak said.The train was carrying about 340 passengers and seven crew members, Amtrak said.
Many of those who were able to walk were taken by foot to a nearby church, Trainer United Methodist Church, where they gathered in a gym and were given food and water. In turn, they were being put on regional buses and transported to Philadelphia, Amtrak said.Many of those who were able to walk were taken by foot to a nearby church, Trainer United Methodist Church, where they gathered in a gym and were given food and water. In turn, they were being put on regional buses and transported to Philadelphia, Amtrak said.
Ms. Hobdy, 33, who was given ibuprofen for injuries to her knees, described scenes of panic and confusion after the train came to a halt.Ms. Hobdy, 33, who was given ibuprofen for injuries to her knees, described scenes of panic and confusion after the train came to a halt.
“People started saying, ‘Get up and walk toward the back, leave your luggage, get up and walk toward the back.’ So we did,” she said.“People started saying, ‘Get up and walk toward the back, leave your luggage, get up and walk toward the back.’ So we did,” she said.
Ms. Hobdy said she did not observe any injuries that appeared serious, but some people seemed to have back pain, and others were using clothing to try to stop the flow of blood from cuts.Ms. Hobdy said she did not observe any injuries that appeared serious, but some people seemed to have back pain, and others were using clothing to try to stop the flow of blood from cuts.
Amtrak offered an emergency hotline, 800-532-9101, for people with questions about friends and family on the train.Amtrak offered an emergency hotline, 800-532-9101, for people with questions about friends and family on the train.
Stephen Gardner, an Amtrak spokesman, said the railroad’s service between New York and Philadelphia remained operational but was suspended between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority also briefly halted its service.Stephen Gardner, an Amtrak spokesman, said the railroad’s service between New York and Philadelphia remained operational but was suspended between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority also briefly halted its service.
New Jersey Transit said that it was continuing to offer its regular Sunday service along the Northeast Corridor. It said it would accept Amtrak tickets between New York and Trenton during the service interruption.New Jersey Transit said that it was continuing to offer its regular Sunday service along the Northeast Corridor. It said it would accept Amtrak tickets between New York and Trenton during the service interruption.
Safety concerns about Amtrak flared last year after the derailment of a New York-bound Amtrak train in Philadelphia left eight people dead and more than 200 others injured.Safety concerns about Amtrak flared last year after the derailment of a New York-bound Amtrak train in Philadelphia left eight people dead and more than 200 others injured.
Deaths have been relatively rare, however, with trains derailing about 30 times a year over the past decade, according to government data.Deaths have been relatively rare, however, with trains derailing about 30 times a year over the past decade, according to government data.
Last month, an Amtrak train derailed in southwest Kansas, sending more than 30 passengers to hospitals.Last month, an Amtrak train derailed in southwest Kansas, sending more than 30 passengers to hospitals.