At least two people were killed and 70 were injured when an Amtrak passenger train collided with a CSX freight train early Sunday just outside the capitol of South Carolina, officials said.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division said Amtrak train 91 that was traveling from New York to Miami when it collided with the CSX train in Cayce around 2:35 a.m. There were 70 people transported to local hospitals, Capt. Adam Myrick with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office said at a news conference.
“We have anywhere from scratches and bumps to more severe broken bones,” Myrick told reporters.
Derailed Amtrak cars after a train traveling from New York to Miami collided with a CSX freight train in South Carolina.
(Derek Pettaway)
Amtrak said in a statement the train’s lead engine derailed, as did some passenger cars on the train that was carrying 8 crew members and approximately 139 passengers on board.
No immediate information was available about the CSX train, but SCMED Public Information Officer Derrec Becker told reporters that officials are working to secure a fuel leak that resulted from the derailemt.
Lexington County emergency officials responding to the scene where an Amtrak train collided with a CSX freight train in Cayce, South Carolina early Sunday morning.
(Lexington County Sherriff)
AMTRAK’S DEADLIEST CRASHES IN RECENT YEARS
As of now, 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel has spilled and crews are trying to secure the leak, according to Becker, who added there is no threat to the public at this time.
Amtrak said that anyone with questions regarding passengers on the train can contact them at 1-800-523-9101
South Carolina’s Red Cross chapter tweeted that emergency responders were at the scene.
Online posts referred to “walking wounded” passengers seen walking along the tracks.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was launching a “Go Team” to investigate the deadly collision.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
