Three people were confirmed to have died in a rural Missouri after an Amtrak passenger train derailment.
The crash occurred near Mendon, Missouri, about 12:45 p.m. Monday.
At least 50 injuries were reported in addition to the reported fatalities. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said that two people on the train and the driver of a truck that struck the train were killed.
Amtrak has confirmed that several cars derailed on train four traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago after striking a dump truck at an uncontrolled train crossing near Mendon, Missouri, at 12:43 p.m. There were approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members on board with early reports of injuries.
Amtrak said it has deployed resources to help.
“All of a sudden the car that we were on was over and everyone was flying everywhere. Seats were coming apart. Bags were going everywhere. And then, after it stopped, you could smell the fumes and so people started panicking, thinking it was going to catch fire so we tried to get out as quick as possible,” said Amtrak passenger Jason Drinkard, who boarded the train at Kansas City’s Union Station.
One passenger, Rob Nightingale, was on the train and went live on Facebook shortly after the derailment. In his video, he can be heard saying that he believes the train collided with a truck attempting to cross the tracks.
This information was later confirmed by Amtrak.
Nightingale spoke to the media shortly after the incident.
It has also been confirmed that approximately eight passenger cars and two locomotives were involved in the derailment.
Two Boy Scout troops from Appleton, Wisconsin were also on the train.
Scott Armstrong, director of national media for Boy Scouts of America, told CNN that a total of 16 scouts and eight adult leaders were on board.
Armstrong said the scouts who were on the train are believed to be between 14 and 17 years old, and he confirmed none was hurt.
All 16 Boy Scouts and their adult leaders stayed an the scene of the train derailment to render aid and assist people that were hurt, according to Armstrong.
The two different troops were on their way back from a stay at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Armstrong said.
Armstrong said the Boy Scouts of America is now working to get the scouts and their leaders back to Wisconsin.
The National Transportation Safety Board says it is sending a 14-person team to investigate the incident.
Several Missouri leaders, including the governor and Senator Roy Blunt, have sent out tweets acknowledging the incident.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also released a brief statement on the derailment.
Individuals with questions about their friends and family who were traveling aboard this train should call 800-523-9101. Additional details will be provided as available.
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