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Train carrying Republicans hits lorry in Virginia killing one | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A train carrying Republican lawmakers to a retreat has hit a lorry on the track in Virginia, killing one person on the vehicle, says the White House. | |
Republican passengers - who included House Speaker Paul Ryan - said no one on the specially chartered Amtrak service had been significantly injured. | |
Arizona Senator Jeff Flake told CNN one person on the lorry was killed by Wednesday morning's impact. | |
Utah Senator Mike Lee said that the "garbage truck" was "cut in half". | |
The members of Congress were on their way to their annual retreat in Greenbrier, West Virginia, when the crash occurred at 11:20 local time (16:20 GMT). | |
Some train passengers were hurled from their seats by the collision, which happened near Crozet, Virginia, about 110 miles (180km) south-west of Washington DC. | |
A spokesman for Amtrak said local law enforcement officials were investigating "and inspecting the equipment for damage". | |
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: "The president has been fully briefed on the situation in Virginia and is receiving regular updates. | |
"There is one confirmed fatality and one serious injury. There are no serious injuries among members of Congress or their staff. | |
"Senior Administration officials are in regular contact with Amtrak and state and local authorities. | |
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by this incident." | |
President Donald Trump is due to visit the retreat on Thursday. | |
Security officials and doctors for the lawmakers - as well as two congressmen who are ex-doctors - helped emergency officials, lawmakers said. | |
A Michigan congressman said that train passengers had gathered outside the train in prayer. | |
Tennessee Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said he was walking to the train's toilet when the collision occurred, and he was injured. | |
"I'm in a bit of shock right now," he told the Tennesseean newspaper. "I'm in a whole lot of pain and discomfort." |