At least two people died and 30 suffered injuries when an Amtrak train collided with a backhoe on the tracks at approximately 7:53 am near Booth Street in Chester, causing the lead engine of the train to derail. Service has been suspended along the Northeast Corridor in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. According to Amtrak, there were 341 passengers and seven crewmembers on board Palmetto train 89 at the time of the incident, which took place in Chester, Delaware County.
We are aware of the incident involving the Palmetto train 89 south of Philadelphia and we will provide update as they become available.
— Amtrak (@Amtrak) April 3, 2016
#BREAKING: Amtrak train crash near Philadelphia leaves 2 dead, others injured. https://t.co/6yy0DgFlzy pic.twitter.com/AB0tx0pISH
— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) April 3, 2016
Deadly train crash: @Amtrak launches emergency call hotline: https://t.co/JAvGHvJ7wf #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/X4DzCs04L6
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) April 3, 2016
#BREAKING: Amtrak passenger train derails heading to Savannah https://t.co/l925uv8aca details on Channel 2 this AM. pic.twitter.com/ut2QGJ23uZ
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) April 3, 2016
Ambulances staging at 9th and Langley. Passengers filing into church with luggage. #Amtrak @6abc pic.twitter.com/RqDdCpLQ6K
— Trish Hartman (@TrishHartman) April 3, 2016
Officials confirmed two people have died on the train traveling from New York to Savannah, Georgia, without revealing the identities of the victims.
Just got to scene of @Amtrak crash in Chester. Medical Examiner on scene. Two confirmed dead.
— Trish Hartman (@TrishHartman) April 3, 2016
Wheel from crane that was apparently hit by Amtrak train in Chester. @PhilHeron pic.twitter.com/gYIpT3sTf5
— Pete Bannan (@PeteBannan) April 3, 2016
Amtrak has suspended service on the Northeast Corridor after an Amtrak train derailed during an accident in Chester. SEPTA has also suspended service on the Wilmington/Newark Line due to the incident.
Officials say Amtrak Train 89, operating from New York to Savannah, Ga., struck a backhoe that was on the tracks at approximately 7:53 a.m. Sunday morning near Booth St. in Chester, causing the lead engine of the train to derail.
“This morning, Amtrak Train 89, operating from New York to Savannah, Georgia, struck a backhoe that was on the tracks and derailed the lead engine south of Philadelphia,” Amtrak spokesman said, adding the cause of the crash is now being investigated.
Lines at rental car here at #PHL 30th St #Amtrak station, "we don't know what happened" ticket agents say pic.twitter.com/iPKHx0sIcZ
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) April 3, 2016
More details in this developing story.
Stephanie Burroughs, who in the 2nd car of the Amtrak train that crashed outside of Philly, shares what happened.https://t.co/b509aMasgy
— Fox&Friends Weekend (@ffweekend) April 3, 2016
Individuals with questions about their friends and family on train 89 should call Amtrak’s Emergency Hotline at 800.532.9101.
— Amtrak (@Amtrak) April 3, 2016