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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
(about 1 hour later)
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. A train carrying members of Congress to a retreat for Republican legislators has crashed into a garbage truck, killing one person and injuring at least five others.
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. 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 was a passenger in the garbage truck.
Two train passengers and two crew members also sustained injuries in the crash, according to Amtrak spokeswoman Beth K Toll.Two train passengers and two crew members also sustained injuries in the crash, according to Amtrak spokeswoman Beth K Toll.
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, to discuss politics and policies for the upcoming year. 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.  The legislators chartered buses to bring them the remainder of the distance to their destination. Mr Pence tweeted that he would be heading to West Virginia later that day, as previously planned.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was onboard the train but not injured, according to NBC. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was not onboard.Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was onboard the train but not injured, according to NBC. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was not onboard.
President Donald Trump was in a national security meeting at the time of the crash, Ms Sanders said. The President later told reporters that he had spoken with Mr Ryan about the incident, and that his thoughts were with those affected.
"It was a pretty rough hit," Mr Trump said of the crash, according to pool reports.
Pictures from the scene showed the truck knocked on its side, garbage spilling 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 spilling out on the ground around it. The front of the Amtrak train also appeared dented and scratched.
Some legislators on the train reported injuries such as whiplash and a possible mild concussion. Some legislators on the train reported injuries such as whiplash and a possible mild concussion. 
"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.”"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 legislators 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. Several legislators who are also doctors got off the train to assist emergency crews, according to the Associated Press. Among those lending a hand was 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. "We jumped off the train and went to work," Representative Neal Dunn told ABC News. "Every member of the 'Doc Caucus' got out of the train and helped the guys who'd been injured."
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. The Virginia Department of Transportation said there were flashing signals and gates on the intersection where the crash occurred, to stop drivers from entering the tracks when a train was approaching. There have been three reported crashes near the intersection since 2007, but none involving a train.
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, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to investigate .