UPDATE: 5 Dead, 140 Hurt After Amtrak Train Derails In Pennsylvania 'Mass Casualty' Crash

By JIM BOYLE, JUSTIN HEINZE and TOM DAVIS

An Amtrak train traveling from Washington to New York crashed off its rails late Tuesday, killing 5 and injuring at least 140 people in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, according to authorities.

First responders and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who confirmed the death toll early Wednesday, said they’ve “never seen” destruction like this.

Amtrak released a statement early Wednesday, saying:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life from Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 that derailed [in] Philadelphia Tuesday evening. We ask the news media to be respectful of our customers, our employees, and their families.”

There were approximately 238 passengers and 5 crew members on board, Amtrak said. NBCPhiladelphia Channel 10 said more than 140 people were injured.

According to 6 ABC, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer called the accident a mass casualty incident. SEPTA shut down service on the Chestnut Hill West and Trenton Regional Rail lines until further notice.

Individuals with questions about their friends and family should call the Amtrak Incident Hotline at 800-523-9101. Amtrak has also established a Family Assistance Center to work closely with family and friends of passengers on the train.

On Wednesday, modified Amtrak service will be provided between Washington and Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and New York and Boston. There will be no Amtrak service between New York and Philadelphia, but NJ Transit will honor Amtrak tickets between New York City and Trenton, according to Amtrak.

Train 188 was traveling from Washington D.C. to New York City when it ”shook” as it entered a turn, before crashing off the rails, the reports state.

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The accident happened at Wheatsheaf Lane late Tuesday, according to emergency personnel reporting on Twitter.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the accident around 10:15 p.m.

Social media showed bleeding passengers and train cars flipped on their side.

Amtrak released a statement earlier Thursday:

“We are aware of the derailment of Northeast Regional train 188 north of Philadelphia and will provide updates as they become available.”

Several cars in the front of the train went off the tracks, some overturning, according to The Associated Press.

Haunting images of the flipped over trains circulated around social media on Tuesday night.

Former US Congressman from Bucks County, Rep. Patrick Murphy, was on board the train, but was uninjured, according to his Twitter account.

“Im on @Amtrak train that just crashed. Im ok. Helping others. Pray for those injured,” Murphy tweeted at about 9:30 p.m.

There are police in the area telling people to move away from the scene of the crash, AP reports state.

It is not yet known what caused the crash, although some political figures have already taken to the Internet to express dissatisfaction with the country’s infrastructure.

“Our country has horrible infrastructure problems. Pols can’t solve!” Donald Trump tweeted.This story is developing.

Refresh the page for details that will be added as they come in.

Photos: Channel 10 video of crash; @BPolatseck

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