Virginia Amtrak Crash: NC Congressmen Check In

North Carolina Congressman Robert Pittenger was aboard a train that crashed Wednesday en route to a GOP retreat but was not injured, the lawmaker from Charlotte said Wednesday. "I am on the train, and I am okay. Praying for others involved," Pittenger said in a Tweet.

Lake Norman’s Sen. Thom Tillis was also on the train. “Our train headed to West Virginia was involved in an accident with a truck,” he tweeted. “Everyone on the train appears to be okay. Please join me in praying for those in the truck we collided with.”

Congressman Richard Hudson of Concord, North Carolina was also on the train, tweeting that he was safe shortly after the crash. “I'm on the train in Virginia and I am OK. Please join Renee and me in praying for those who were injured and their families. So thankful for our amazing first responders who put themselves in harm’s way every day,” he said.

The crash happened in Albemarle County, Virginia, according to several members who were on the train and reported the incident via Twitter. CNN is reporting that the train hit a tractor trailer carrying trash.

Rep. Mark Walker of the Sixth District tweeted about 1:20 p.m. that the train's passengers are on the move back to Charlottesville, where they will transfer to buses. "Please keep praying for the truck driver’s loved ones and other’s injured," he said. Walker shared video of the accident scene via Twitter.

Albemarle County Police confirmed 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 West Virginia.

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.

Rep. Jeff Denham, a Republican from California, tweeted a photo of the front of the train.
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."

Amtrak did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Virginia State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Patch will update this breaking news story.

Patch Editor Kara Seymour contributed to this story.

Photo of crash scene used with permission of Rep. Greg Walden