Tales From The Amtrak Derailment: Survivors Talk About Crash

DUPONT, WA - Authorities have confirmed that at least three people died in Monday's Amtrak derailment in DuPont, but scores more survived to talk about what happened in the moments before the crash. Around 100 people - between I-5 drivers and train passengers - were transported to local hospitals after the derailment.

The train, No. 501 heading toward Portland, was the first to head toward Portland on a new route along I-5. The tracks, owned by Sound Transit, would allow trains to travel about 79 MPH, although the speed near the scene of the derailment was 30 MPH.

Here are some of the stories from survivors:

Dr. Natahn Selden of Portland spent two hours at the scene giving first aid to survivors, according to KOMO News.

"At a certain point the train wobbled for a second, and the next thing we knew we were being sort of catapulted into the seats in front of us,” one passenger told the Tacoma News Tribune.

"It sounded like being on the inside of an aluminum can being crushed," one passenger from Tacoma told the Seattle Times.

An Eagle Scout pulled over along I-5 to help just moments after the crash, according to KOMO News.

Charlie Heebner, 79, and his wife, Beverly, 78, wanted to be among the first to ride on the new high-speed section of track south of Tacoma, according to KING 5.

Railway expert tells Patch an obstruction on the tracks might have caused the derailment

Image courtesy Pierce County Sheriff