Updated at 1:15 a.m. ET Thursday, NPR
An Amtrak train carrying House and Senate Republicans to their annual retreat in West Virginia struck a garbage truck Wednesday morning near Charlottesville, Va.
At least one person was killed, according to a statement released by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The University of Virginia Medical Center had this update on the injured on Wednesday evening: “One patient is in critical condition, one patient is in good condition, three patients are being evaluated, and one patient has been discharged.”
President Trump said he spoke with House Speaker Paul Ryan. “The train accident was a tough one, a tremendous jolt,” Trump told reporters. “We don’t have a full understanding yet as to what happened. But it was a train hitting a truck going at a pretty, pretty good speed. And we’ll have a full report as to what it looks like the driver of the truck was killed.”
The Associated Press reports the man who died in the crash was a passenger in the truck. The driver and another passenger were seriously injured.
In a statement, Amtrak said the train “came into contact with a truck that was on the tracks at 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Va.” It said two Amtrak crew members and three passengers were transported to a local hospital with what were described as minor injuries. It said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake told CNN that he was on the train near the front and got off to help. He said there was a person who “was deceased” and another person who was “pretty bad off.” Flake added, “I hope he survives.”
Flake said another person wasn’t as seriously injured and was able to walk to the ambulance.
Flake said he was not sure whether those injured or killed were in the cab of the truck or were holding onto the back.
Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson
Penny & I are driving to WV for the Congressional Institute. Please keep those impacted by today’s train event in your thoughts and prayers
Jan 31
Rep. Robert Aderholt
I just wanted to send a quick note to let everyone know Caroline and I are fine. We were on the train headed to a Republican planning conference when the train collided with a truck. I’m told one person in the truck has died. Our prayers to that person’s family & any others hurt.
12:17 PM – Jan 31, 2018