Amtrak Train Derails Near Philadelphia, 2 Killed, At Least 35 Injured

CHESTER, PA - Two people were killed and at least 35 injured after an accident involving an Amtrak train that shut down service along the Northeast Corridor in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, authorities said.

The accident, which was reported at 7:53 a.m. Sunday near Booth Street on the Palmetto train 89 in Chester, Pa., involved two workers operating a backhoe on the tracks.

Both were killed when their vehicle struck the passing train, which Amtrak said derailed the lead engine south of Philadelphia.

Multiple emergency units responded to the scene, and officials confirmed the two fatalities, though they did not identify them during a mid-day press conference.

"The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) is en route. They will handle the investigation," said Stephen Gardner, executive vice president for Northeast Corridor Business Development at Amtrak.

Read more: Amtrak Train Strikes Pedestrian; 2nd Accident In One Day

There were approximately 341 passengers and 7 crew members on board. Chester Fire Commissioner Travis Thomas told reporters 35 people were taken to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Local emergency responders were on the scene and an investigation is ongoing.

Northeast Corridor service between Wilmington and Philadelphia was to be suspended until early Sunday afternoon. Keystone Service between New York and Harrisburg was not affected.

Initially, it was unclear if NJ Transit was impacted by the accident. But the agency reported that the service is up and running on the Northeast Corridor:hem during a mid-day press conference.

Amtrak released a statement on Twitter saying they are aware of the incident, and said Northeast Corridor service was suspended. SEPTA also suspended its Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail service.

Amtrak also released this statement:

Amtrak Train 89, operating from New York to Savannah, Ga., struck a backhoe that was on the tracks and derailed the lead engine south of Philadelphia. There were approximately 341 passengers and 7 crew members on board. Initial reports are that some passengers are being treated for injuries. Local emergency responders are on the scene and an investigation is ongoing. Northeast Corridor service between New York and Philadelphia is suspended.

The Federal Railroad Administration also was investigating:

Individuals with questions about their friends and family on Train 89 should call Amtrak’s Emergency Hotline at 800.523.9101.

Linton Holmes, a passenger on the train whose mother lives in New Jersey, told reporters at a press conference that the crash sound like an "explosion," windows blew out and some people cut up.

"I called my sister and I called my mom," he said. "I had never seen anything like that before."

Sporadic reports were published on Twitter regarding the accident:

Image courtesy @GlennHills