Cause Of Steilacoom Amtrak Derailment Released

STEILACOOM, WA - Amtrak officials on Thursday afternoon revealed that human error likely caused a passenger train to derail Sunday afternoon near Chambers Bay. Amtrak said that the the train failed to slow down to the required 40 MPH speed limit before crossing a bridge over the bay. More than 250 people were on the train, although there were only minor injuries as a result of the derailment.

Here's Amtrak's full statement on the derailment from spokesperson Vernaé Graham:

"On, July 2, 2017, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the locomotive, baggage and four passenger cars of Amtrak Cascades, Train #506, operating between Eugene-Springfield, Ore. and Seattle, Wash., derailed at Chambers Bay Bridge in Steilacoom, Wash.

"Eight passenger cars and a rear locomotive remained upright on the tracks. There were 267 passengers onboard and several minor injuries reported. EMS responded to the train and attended to the injured passengers; some were transported to a local hospital and released. Remaining passengers were evacuated from the train to a nearby marina where they were provided alternate transportation.

"The cause of the incident has been determined to be human error. The train failed to slow to the maximum 40 mph speed limit while approaching the bridge. As a result, a derail switch activated (the derail switch protects the bridge operations). The engineer’s performance has been addressed in accordance with Amtrak procedures. The safety of our passengers and employees remains our number one priority."

Image via Lakewood police