Early this morning a passenger train that was traveling from New York to Miami derailed in the heart of South Carolina, killing 2 people and injuring over 70.
According to a press release from Amtrak, “the lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars.” There were roughly 139 passengers and eight crew members aboard the train.
They stated that the lead engine car “came in contact” with a CSX freight train at about 2:35am Sunday morning in Cayce, SC, just outside Columbia;
The two trains collided near the 321 underpass where two tracks merged together;
An over turned Amtrak passenger car and freight train can be seen from an overpass in Columbia, SC. Crews are working around the area. @FoxNews #FNCMMR pic.twitter.com/5dtoMhwRWo
— Terace Garnier (@TeraceGarnier) February 4, 2018
The Lexington Sheriff’s Department confirmed the two deaths just before 6am this morning;
#BREAKING: Two fatalities in passenger train versus freight train. @CountyLex EMS has transported more than 50 injured. #LESM #LCSDnews
— Lexington Sheriff (@LCSD_News) February 4, 2018
This morning’s incident happened less than a week after another Amtrak train derailed with numerous members of congress on board in Charlottesville, VA – killing 1 and injuring dozens.