A train carrying Capitol Hill Republicans to a West Virginia resort struck a garbage truck on the tracks near Charlottesville, Va., late Wednesday morning, killing one of the truck's occupants and seriously injuring another, congressmen said.
Five of the six members of the Arkansas congressional delegation were aboard the train, which was traveling from Washington's Union Station to White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., for the Republicans' annual policy retreat. None of the Arkansas lawmakers was injured.
Amtrak spokesman Beth K. Toll said the crash occurred at 11:20 a.m. EST.
"Two Amtrak crew members and three passengers were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries," train officials said.
On Wednesday afternoon, five patients were being treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, hospital spokesman Alex Prevost said. One was in critical condition, he added.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it had started an investigation and that officials were headed to the scene, 125 miles southwest of Washington.
"It is premature to offer specific comment about this incident, however, it is clear that accidents at rail crossings nationwide are far too common," Amtrak said in a statement. "This is an opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of exercising caution around railroad rights-of-way. Amtrak continues to work closely with Operation Lifesaver to communicate the dangers of grade crossings. Each year, about 2,000 people are killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents nationwide."
The collision, in Crozet, Va., occurred roughly two hours into the trip, lawmakers said.
"It felt as if somebody had just hit an emergency brake all of a sudden," said U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers.
"Several people fell, thrown from their seats. Occupants of the trash truck were thrown from the vehicle," he said.
Shortly after the train came to a stop, members of Congress who are medical doctors rushed to the victims' aid, performing CPR on at least one victim. One of the truck's passengers died at the scene. A second was flown to a hospital, congressmen said.
The train passengers included members of the House and Senate, their spouses and children, as well as congressional staff members and U.S. Capitol police officers.
Delegation members said no one aboard the train appeared to be seriously injured.
"They're kind of reviewing some folks for potential concussions, and there may be some whiplash-type injuries," said U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro.
He said he was talking with colleagues about the coming retreat when he felt a jolt.
"I thought maybe we hit a deer or something like that," he said.
Once the train stopped, he realized it was something far more serious.
"I'm not sure if it was stalled on the track or it was just trying to beat the train across the tracks," he said. "We didn't derail, but it's a pretty big mess."
Crawford said help arrived swiftly.
"The local first responders are doing great work. Our Capitol police are on the spot as they always are," he said Wednesday.
U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock said the train was traveling "at full speed" when it hit the truck.
Hill, like many of his colleagues, posted about the accident on social media, letting people know he was safe.
"We witnessed a real tragedy," he said in an interview.
Lawmakers were uncertain why the garbage truck was in the locomotive's path.
Benny Layne, who lives near the crossing, told The Associated Press that the crossing arms have not been working properly. Layne said he has recently seen lines of cars stopped at the crossing, with the arms lowered even though no train was approaching.
U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers quickly notified his office that he and his wife, Cathy, were uninjured. U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs offered an update on Facebook, telling people: "I am on the train in Virginia. I am fine."
Arkansas' U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton wasn't aboard. His spokesman said he won't be attending the event.
After roughly two hours, the passenger cars were uncoupled from the locomotive and were taken back to Charlottesville. Lawmakers said they would be traveling the final 125 miles to White Sulphur Springs on chartered buses.
Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to address the lawmakers later Wednesday. President Donald Trump was to arrive today.
A Section on 02/01/2018