Washington Amtrak Derailment: 3 Confirmed Dead, 77 Injured

DUPONT, WA - An Amtrak riding for the first along a new section of track derailed south of Tacoma Monday morning, killing at least three and injuring dozens more, according to officials. The train derailed just after 7:30 a.m. just as it was passing over I-5. Several derailed train cars fell onto the highway, but no drivers died, according to local authorities.

The Dupont Fire Chief Larry Creekmore confirmed at a Monday afternoon press conference that there were three confirmed deaths and approximately 100 transported to local hospitals. A U.S. government officials told the Associated Press Monday morning that six were dead and that an object on the tracks might have caused the derailment.

The train was carrying 77 passengers and seven crew, a fraction of its full capacity of 250.

"If you're not hearing it from us, it's all speculation," state patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova said Monday. "There are some casualties."

Gus Ubaldi, a train expert with Robson Forensic, told Patch that's it's possible an object on the tracks caused the derailment. Looking at photos of the wreck, Ubaldi pointed out that the front cars, including the locomotive, were heavily damaged, which might indicate the train hit an object. The caboose was the only car not to derail and appeared largely undamaged.

"I'm beginning to lend credence to the idea that something was on the track," he said. "The track behind the train, it's pristine, there are no marks."

Amtrak superintendent Gay Banks Olson was asked Monday afternoon whether speed or an object on the tracks caused the crash. Olson would only say that the crash is under investigation. The derailment occurred at a bend in the tracks where trains cross a trestle over I-5. The speed limit at the curve is 30 MPH, but trains along the new route are able to travel at speeds up to 79 MPH.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said that an investigation into the cause of the crash would be handled by the National Transportation Safety Board. State patrol was helping to investigate whether criminal activity was involved in the derailment.

Those injured in the crash were taken to a handful of local hospitals, although some passengers were able to walk off the train largely unharmed. A statement from CHI Franciscan Health said a total of 77 patients were taken to Pierce and Thurston county hospitals. Four patients are considered "level red." Amtrak said there were a total of 78 passengers and five crew aboard the train. Patients were being taken to Tacoma General, St. Joseph's, St. Claire’s, and St. Anthony’s hospitals.

Madigan Hospital at Joint Base Lewis-McChord said it accepted 20 patients just after 8 a.m. Monday with nine in "serious but stable" condition. By Monday afternoon, three patients had been transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, which is a level one trauma center serving Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. One person was in critical condition, according to Harborview, and the other two were serious but stable.

"While we anticipate more patients this morning, nine patients are currently in serious but stable condition, and 11 are in fair and stable condition. Family members of patients are welcomed to come to Madigan’s emergency room – we will facilitate finding your family members. Assessment and treatment continues; we will release more information as we can confirm it," the hospital said in a press release.

Amtrak said that the train was No. 501, which departed Tacoma toward Portland at 7:17 a.m. The train was the first to travel along a new, faster route along I-5. State and city officials from Tacoma held a grand opening for the new train service on Friday.

"On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, we are deeply saddened by all that has happened today. We will do everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families," Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson said in a statement about the derailment.

Southbound I-5 was completely closed in the area near the crash, between Lakewood and Lacey. State Patrol said that the southbound side of the highway would be closed all day Monday, and perhaps longer. There are three detours around the area: SR 7 through Spanaway, SR 16 to SR 3 through the Kitsap Peninsula and through Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Bova said commuters should be prepared for southbound I-5 to be closed into the Tuesday morning commute.

Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in Pierce and Thurston counties Monday morning due to the significant damage done to I-5, the Mounts Road overpass, and the rail infrastructure. The state emergency operations center was activated, and the National Guard will be made available to assist.

A family reunification center has been set up at DuPont City Hall, according to Washington State Patrol. Most unijured passengers had left the city hall by Monday afternoon, taken by bus to originally scheduled destinations. Amtrak advised anyone with questions about friends or family to call 1-800-523-9101.

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Amtrak released a statement Monday morning saying there had been injuries related to the derailment:

Amtrak Cascades Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland, derailed south of Tacoma, Wash. There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.

Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101. Local emergency responders are on the scene.

Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. No alternate transportation will be available.

The Federal Railroad Administration was sending investigators to the scene to find out what caused the derailment. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was sending a "go team" to the scene.

Ubaldi told Patch that investigators will begin by walking from the rear of the train to the front to find out where the train derailed. Amtrak will have to bring in a rail-mounted crane and other heavy equipment to lift the cars off I-5; Ubaldi said that could take as long as a few days.

"They will do it as safely as possible and with as little impact to rail and highway service," he said.

Monday was the first day of a new route for Amtrak trains in the area. Trains traveling along upgraded tracks along I-5 are able to travel at higher speeds, up to 79 MPH. At a meeting about the new higher speeds in early December, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson said he was concerned the faster trains would be too close to pedestrians and cars.

Anderson's concerns, however, were about places in Lakewood where tracks cross major roadways, like Bridgeport Way. Monday's derailment did not occur at such a crossing.

The new route moves trains off the BNSF line that runs along Puget Sound and onto tracks used by Sounder trains. The reroute will allow Amtrak trains to shave about 10 minutes off the Portland-Seattle route. Using the BNSF lines, Amtrak trains had to slow down for single-track tunnels and curves.

The new route cost about $181 million, which was paid for with funds from the 2008 economic stimulus package. The tracks are owned by Sound Transit. Amtrak operates trains as a contractor for the states of Washington and Oregon.

Transportation officials have touted that the new section of track would use positive train control (PTC) to prevent crashes. That system, which uses computers to track train speed and position, was not turned on Monday, according to Amtrak.

The derailment - the second in 2017 in Pierce County - sent shockwaves across the state. Gov. Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued statements about the incident. President Donald Trump also mentioned the incident in a tweet.

"The City of Seattle has offered our assistance and aid to Pierce and Thurston counties, and is ready to work with Amtrak, local, state, and federal officials as they manage the response and deal with the aftermath of this tragic incident," Durkan said in a statement.

Image via Washington State Patrol, WSDOT