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Train carrying Republican members of Congress crashes on way to West Virginia Train carrying Republican members of Congress crashes on way to West Virginia
(35 minutes later)
A train carrying members of Congress to a retreat for Republican legislators has crashed into a garbage truck. A train carrying members of Congress to a retreat for Republican legislators has crashed into a garbage truck, killing one person and seriously injuring another.
One person onboard the truck was killed and another was seriously injured, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. No members of Congress or their staff were seriously injured. No members of Congress or their staff were seriously injured in the crash, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. The person killed and the person seriously injured were passengers on the garbage truck.
President Donald Trump was in a national security meeting at the time of the crash and had been briefed on the incident, Ms Sanders said.President Donald Trump was in a national security meeting at the time of the crash and had been briefed on the incident, Ms Sanders said.
The legislators were en route to a three-day conference in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, where both Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were expected to make an appearance. The legislators were en route to a three-day conference in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, where both Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were expected to make an appearance. They reportedly chartered buses to bring them the remainder of the distance to their destination. 
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was onboard the train but not injured, according to NBC. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was not onboard.
Pictures from the scene showed the truck knocked on its side, garbage spilled out on the ground around it. The front of the Amtrak train also appeared dented and scratched.Pictures from the scene showed the truck knocked on its side, garbage spilled out on the ground around it. The front of the Amtrak train also appeared dented and scratched.
"There was a feeling of an impact and you could feel we had hit something," Senator Mike Lee told the Washington Post. "It took us maybe a quarter mile to stop.” "There was a feeling of an impact and you could feel we had hit something," Senator Mike Lee told the Washington Post of the crash. "It took us maybe a quarter mile to stop.”
He added: "We saw debris go by the left side of the train. The part of the truck we can see was decimated. Very relieved when the train came to a stop and still on the tracks.”He added: "We saw debris go by the left side of the train. The part of the truck we can see was decimated. Very relieved when the train came to a stop and still on the tracks.”
Several Republican lawmakers who are also doctors got off the train to assist, according to the Associated Press. Those assisting included Representative Brad Wenstrup, who treated some of the victims at a GOP baseball practice last June where several people were shot.
"Please take a moment to say a quick prayer for those injured in the train accident this morning, especially those in the truck that collided with the train," Representative Bradley Byrne tweeted.
Local law enforcement was investigating the incident and crews were inspecting the train's equipment for damage, Amtrak said in a statement. The United States Capitol Police were also on the scene.
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