Alabama Congressional Reps Not Injured In Train Crash

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA - A train carrying Republican members of Congress to a GOP retreat was involved in a crash in Albemarle County, Virginia, Wednesday according to members of Congress on the train and local police. NBC 29 reports that one person was killed and at least one person is in critical condition. Alabama congressional representatives Bradley Byrne, Robert Aderholt, Martha Roby and Mike Rogers were on board, and said via social media they had emerged unscathed.

An Albemarle County police dispatcher confirmed to Patch they were responding to a train derailment. Local media outlets reported that the train crash happened west of Crozet, Virginia, about 15 miles from Charlottesville. The GOP retreat was scheduled to take place in Greenbrier, West Virginia.

Ed O'Keefe, a reporter for The Washington Post, said he spoke to Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake who told him one of person was killed. Flake and other lawmakers reportedly helped carry one of the injured passengers to an ambulance.

Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas who is also a doctor, performed CPR on the train conductor and helped two people in the garbage truck who were transported to an ambulance, he wrote on Twitter.

"Local law enforcement is investigating the incident and crews are inspecting equipment for damage," Amtrak said in an emailed statement. "The train originated in Washington, D.C. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available."

This article includes reporting by Feroze Dhanoa, Patch National Staff

Photo via Rep. Greg Walden, used with permission