Politics & Government
Hultgren Aboard Amtrak Train That Crashed En Route To GOP Retreat
At least one person has died after a train carrying GOP members to a retreat collided with a dump truck in Virginia.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA — 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 and local police. At least three Illinois congressmen were aboard the train, including west suburban Rep. Peter Roskam and Rep. Randy Hultgren.
A Roskam spokeswoman confirmed the Wheaton Republican and his wife were aboard the train and were not hurt, reports CBS Chicago. Rep. Randy Hultgren, who represents portions of McHenry, Lake, Kendall, Kane, DuPage, DeKalb and Will counties, was also on the train and not hurt.
A spokesman said Hultgren's family is back in Illinois, adding, "he asks for prayers for all involved, especially those on the truck and their families."
Find out what's happening in Montgomeryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Illinois Rep. Mike Bost of downstate Carbondale said he and his wife were also on the train when it crashed but were not injured.
Tracy & I were on a train w/ other members of Congress heading to GOP strategy retreat in WV. Train involved in collision w/ garbage truck. Tracy & I are safe & unharmed. Of truck’s crew, 1 was killed and another is being treated for injuries. Please keep them in your prayers.
— Rep. Mike Bost (@RepBost) January 31, 2018
NBC 29 in Virginia reports that one person was killed and at least one person is in critical condition after the train collided with a dump truck. Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri, who was on board the train, said she received word that three people were in the truck at the time of the crash. One was killed, one was airlifted from the scene on a Life Flight and one walked away from the crash, she said.
Find out what's happening in Montgomeryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Virginia Train Crash: The Worst Amtrak Crashes In History
Three other Illinois Congressman, Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Channahon, John Shimkus of Collinsville and Darin LaHood of Peoria, all said via Twitter that they were not on the train. A spokesman for Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville, near Springfield, also said he was not on board.
Kinzinger said he took alternate transportation to the retreat and added he was "continuing to check in with colleagues & praying for those injured."
More via Virginia Patch, including a full list of GOP members who have confirmed they were on board.
.@maryaliceparks Front of the train heading to the Greenbrier pic.twitter.com/QGUxUbo8m7
— Jeff Denham (@RepJeffDenham) January 31, 2018
I have taken alternative transportation to the GOP retreat today & was not on this train. Continuing to check in with colleagues & praying for those injured.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) January 31, 2018
Image via Oregon Rep. Greg Walden/used with permission
Feroze Dhanoa, Patch national staff, contributed to this report.
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