Congressman MacArthur In Amtrak Train Crash, Not Injured

Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-3) was aboard a train that crashed Wednesday en route to a GOP retreat but was not injured, his office has confirmed.

"On the way to the annual GOP retreat, the train that my colleagues and I were traveling on was involved in an accident," MacArthur said in an email from his office. "I am OK and am thankful for the first responders for their quick action. My prayers are with those who were injured in this accident."

There were no serious injuries among Congressman or their staff, the White House said in a statement. The White House confirmed there was one fatality and one serious injury. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and is receiving regular updates.

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 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Ed O'Keefe, a reporter for The Washington Post, said he spoke to Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake who told him one 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.

In a statement, Amtrak said the train came in contact with another vehicle around 11:20 a.m. and there were no reported injuries to passengers or crew members.

"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."

Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, told The Washington Post that the garbage truck looked like it had been cut in half.

"We can see garbage strewn around and we can see the back half of the truck," Lee told the paper. "There was a feeling of an impact and you could feel we had hit something. It took us maybe a quarter mile to stop."

Rep. Bradley Byrne, a Republican from Alabama, said he himself was okay but security and doctors were on board treating injuries. Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, also tweeted about the crash and said he was okay.

NBC News reported that House Speaker Paul Ryan, who was on board the train, was not injured.

"Just learned of the crash involving the train carrying Republican Members of Congress to their retreat today," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Twitter. "Praying that all are well both on the train and off."

With reporting by Feroze Dhanoa

PHOTO: Rep. Greg Walden, used with permission.