An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress and their spouses to a party retreat in West Virginia was involved in a collision, Wednesday, according to members who were on the train.
Most people are unhurt, according to House members and senators who are communicating from the train. NBC News reported that a person who was standing at the time of the incident, which took place near Charlottesville, Virginia, was taken off the train to be treated.
House Speaker Paul Ryan was not hurt, sources told NBC News. President Donald Trump, who is meeting with his national security team, was made aware of the incident, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.
Images from the scene showed damage to the Amtrak train and a warped, overturned truck. NBC News reported that the train hit a garbage truck.
We are on our way to our annual GOP retreat, the train carrying members and spouses hit something. Laina and I are ok, I am helping those that are injured, I will have Laina keep you updated as I know more.
— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) January 31, 2018
The train hit a garbage truck, they're asking for doctors on the trains to help. Right now Dr. Marshall is helping people who are injured.
— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) January 31, 2018
The train carrying GOP members to our retreat had a collision, but Rebecca and I are both okay. Security and doctors on board are helping secure the scene and treat injuries.
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) January 31, 2018
I'm on the train to the GOP retreat and am ok. There appear to be no serious injuries among train passengers. Keeping those in the vehicle in our thoughts & prayers.
— Senator Mike Rounds (@SenatorRounds) January 31, 2018
An Amtrak representative said the train collided with a truck on the tracks in Crozet, Virginia, at 11:20 a.m. ET, and that there were no injuries to the train’s passengers or crew. The incident is under investigation by local law enforcement, according to the Amtrak statement.
Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, a doctor, said that he and his wife Laina were OK and he was “helping those that are injured.”
Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., was on the train with his wife when “there was a sudden impact, a loud noise and everyone was jolted,” he said on MSNBC.
“My wife who was in front of me, her cellphone went flying,” he continued. “It was just uncomfortable for a few minutes and as we started realizing that everyone was okay I think people started feeling a little better.”
Curbelo said there were some minor injuries but “most people are OK here.”
Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., tweeted that he had his wife are OK as well after the collision.
“Security and doctors on board are helping secure the scene and treat injuries,” he added.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., was on board the train. He said he was thrown around, but is OK.
Rep. Curbelo describes the accident: "We did not know what was going on."
Adds "the train is almost entirely occupied by members of Congress and their spouses." pic.twitter.com/sXTry102WN
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 31, 2018
Lawmaker on the train to the GOP retreat passes on this picture of the garbage truck that their train hit: pic.twitter.com/sYUmmdH60Q
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 31, 2018
ANOTHER pic of the truck the train carrying GOP lawmakers hit on their way to the GOP retreat: pic.twitter.com/Tb5BtjdPoF
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 31, 2018
hidden message? trash hitting trash..all garbage anyways
“… there were no injuries to the train’s passengers…”
OF ALL THE ROTTEN LUCK!!!!!
Is this a FF to change the impending narrative when they release the FISA doc?
Was the garage truck full of crushed hard drives?
Several thousand FBI cell phones, all with hammer-marks?
I’ve heard of work visa truckers but what’s a work visa cop?
So they didn’t actually miss their connection, they just came in a little too hot.
It’s a shame they couldn’t fill that bus with 0 empty seats, and take it straight to the dump where they belong.
Typical. Citizens (?) killed / maimed, politicians unharmed.