Advertisement

2 dead, 70 hurt after Amtrak passenger train collides with freight train in S.Carolina

Click to play video: 'Investigators digging into cause of deadly Amtrak train collision in South Carolina'
Investigators digging into cause of deadly Amtrak train collision in South Carolina
ABOVE: Investigators digging into cause of deadly Amtrak train collision in South Carolina – Feb 5, 2018

A crash between an Amtrak passenger train and a CSX freight train in South Carolina has left at least two people dead and about 70 people injured.

Lexington County spokesman Harrison Cahill said the trains collided in Cayce around 2:45 a.m. Sunday.

WATCH: NTSB official says switch on track in wrong position in Amtrak crash
Click to play video: 'NTSB official says switch on track in wrong position in Amtrak crash'
NTSB official says switch on track in wrong position in Amtrak crash

Cahill couldn’t say if the two people killed were on the passenger train or the freight train. He says the injuries ranged from scratches to broken bones.

Story continues below advertisement

Amtrak says the lead engine and a few passenger cars derailed on Amtrak 91, which was operating from New York to Miami. There were eight crew members and approximately 139 passengers on board

Lexington County Sheriff’s spokesman Adam Myrick says deputies were taking the uninjured in patrol cars to a shelter.

Amtrak set up a passenger information line at 800-523-9101.

WATCH: Amtrak conductor, engineer identified as fatalities in crash
Click to play video: 'Amtrak conductor, engineer identified as fatalities in crash'
Amtrak conductor, engineer identified as fatalities in crash

U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the Amtrak train collision in South Carolina that killed two people and injured at least 70 on Sunday, and is getting regular updates, the White House said.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by this incident,” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters told reporters.

Story continues below advertisement

The train, with 139 passengers and eight crew on board, was traveling between New York and Miami when it collided with a CSX freight train and derailed, Amtrak said in a statement.

With files from Reuters. 

Sponsored content

AdChoices