Authorities say an Amtrak train struck a piece of railroad construction equipment just south of Philadelphia, and some injuries are being reported.
Chester (PA) police and firefighters responded about 7:53 a.m. Sunday to a report of an Amtrak passenger train crash near Booth Street. The train was traveling from New York City to Savannah, Georgia, and was carrying about about 341 passengers and seven crew members when it struck a backhoe/crane type of railroad construction/maintenance machine.
Two people are reported to have been killed. Amtrak reported that 31 people are being treated at hospitals.
Following the crash, Amtrak suspended all service on the Northeast Corridor. Service is suspended between Philadelphia and both New York City and Wilmington, North Carolina.
The Palmetto is part of the Silver Meteor train, which continues south to Miami, Florida.
All Amtrak service is suspended between New York City and Philadelphia at this time. Updates available at https://t.co/0oilXAZsFc.
— Amtrak (@Amtrak) April 3, 2016
We are aware of the incident involving the Palmetto train 89 south of Philadelphia and we will provide update as they become available.
— Amtrak (@Amtrak) April 3, 2016
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Federal rail investigators are on their way to Chester – site of this morning's deadly train crash. pic.twitter.com/vniWT0ALQW
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) April 3, 2016
2 dead in Amtrak train accident in Chester; service suspended between Philly and NYC https://t.co/jp1U6VXCyY pic.twitter.com/EGhiX6FiPP
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) April 3, 2016
Live News Feed- #Amtrak Train Accident on NE Corridor in Chester PA, https://t.co/G1xAZqvJc5 pic.twitter.com/5l6vdth71B
— PhillyFireNews.com (@PhillyFireNews) April 3, 2016
Amtrak Train Hits Backhoe and Derails in Chester City, 2 Dead https://t.co/G1xAZqvJc5 pix by @PeteBannan pic.twitter.com/MqHOoKofba
— PhillyFireNews.com (@PhillyFireNews) April 3, 2016
Wheel from crane that was apparently hit by Amtrak train in Chester. @PhilHeron pic.twitter.com/gYIpT3sTf5
— Pete Bannan (@PeteBannan) April 3, 2016