Amtrak Train Derails In Port Richmond
UPDATED: November 12, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) – An Amtrak train derailed around 9:30 p.m. (EDT) Tuesday night in Port Richmond, Philadelphia.
Train 188 was traveling from Washington, D.C., to New York City when it crashed, reports say. The front of the train was going into a turn when it shook, according to reports. The derailment happened on the 2000 block of Wheatsheaf Lane. According to officials, at least 50 people are injured.
Former Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy was on the train and has been tweeting that he’s helping people.
The mayor says at least five people were killed in the derailment. According to the fire chief, the derailment was a Level 3 Mass Causality incident. 18 medic units were called to the scene. The fire department says six people are critical transports, 53 are less critical transports and others are walking wounded.
Mayor Nutter called it “an absolute disastrous mess” and said he’d never seen anything like it.
Former Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy was on the train and has been tweeting that he’s helping people.
He tweeted photos of firefighters helping people in the wreckage. “Pray for those injured,” he said.
Mayor Nutter reported, “Several cars were turned over including the engine. I have never seen anything like it.
The crash prompted a 4 alarm response from the Philadelphia Fire department. 120 firefighters responded and 33 apparatuses.
Philadelphia police are asking people to stay away from the crash scene so first responders have room to work. The Philadelphia Fire Departmenttweeted: “Please keep the passengers and all emergency personnel in your thoughts as we continue to respond to the train derailment.”
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement regarding the crash of Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Train 188 Sen. Carper got off the train in Wilmington and was not involved in the crash.
“I am grateful to be home safe and sound in Wilmington, and my heart goes out to all those on the train tonight. I hope all of those that are injured recover quickly, and I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”
Northeast Corridor service between New York and Philadelphia is suspended.
SEPTA’s Trenton and Chestnut Hill West Lines are suspended. It is anticipated that the Trenton Line will be suspended throughout the service day tomorrow and possible through the remainder of the work week.
People in the Philadelphia area looking for loved ones, please go to Webster Elementary School to reunite with them. If you have questions about their friends and family aboard this train have a special number to call for information: 800-523-9101.
UPDATE:
November 12, 2015 12:59 CST
Amtrak Derailment: Six Months After Crash, Many Questions Still Unanswered
All efforts following the Amtrak derailment were trying to reach a conclusion to what had actually caused the crash. Had the locomotive malfunctioned? Was foul play at work? Did a track signal or other track component fail? There were reports, as seen in an article written 3 days following the crash, that stated witnesses seeing two individuals leaving a bridged area above the track Amtrak Northeast 188 traveled after possibly throwing an object.
Six months later and the main unanswered question is one leading back to the 32 year-old Amtrak engineer, Brandon Bostian, residing in New York City.