UPDATE – Officials were having a press conference to discuss the accident as this article was published. According to Cpl. Justin Dunn from the Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that the accident resulted in three deaths: one in the truck and two in train.
Cpl. Justin Dunn @MSHPTrooperBAccording to reports, three victims were killed in this crash: two on the train and one on the dump truck.
— KOMU 8 News (@KOMUnews) June 27, 2022
Amtrak trains carrying 12 crewmembers and 243 passengers were derailled Monday afternoon, in northern Missouri near Mendon. It was struck by a dump truck, and it flipped over. Train was moving from Los Angeles, California to Chicago.
A chilling video taken from the scene just after the accident gives an insight into the aftermath.
WATCH: Missouri train accident survivors; death toll not known pic.twitter.com/iglo1WZTws
— BNO News (@BNONews) June 27, 2022
The scene shows how shaken and distraught the filmmaker was.
BNO has shared more photos taken by a passenger.
Photos shared by a passenger show overturned train cars; reports of injuries https://t.co/4Q0GJ2FN4d
— BNO News (@BNONews) June 27, 2022
CNN
“There are approximately 243 passengers onboard with early reports of injuries,” company officials said in a statement. “Local authorities are currently assisting customers and we have deployed Amtrak resources to assist.”
According to an official hospital spokesperson, three people were taken to University Hospital Columbia. It is not known what the conditions are for these patients.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that approximately eight trains were unable to keep their tracks.
The MSHP & numerous other agencies have responded to an injury traffic crash involving a train & a dump truck southwest of Mendon, MO in Chariton County. Around 8 train cars were involved in the accident. Local & surrounding agencies are on scene providing mutual aid assistance. https://t.co/QQc2RdXZNG
— MSHP Troop B (@MSHPTrooperB) June 27, 2022
Per KCTV5:
Missouri Governor Mike Parson posted the following on Facebook following the accident: “We are saddened to hear of the Amtrak train derailment in Chariton County this afternoon. Missouri Department of Public Safety troopers from Missouri State Highway Patrol and emergency management personnel will be responding. We ask Missourians to join us in praying for all those impacted.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted: “Having relied on Amtrak to cross our state throughout my college years and long after, I remember the ride well. My heart goes out to the passengers and all impacted by today’s event and I extend my thanks to those responding to today’s derailment on the scene and at the hospital.”
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley’s office indicated they were keeping close tabs on the situation.
We are closely watching this emergency situation as it develops and stand ready to help however we can https://t.co/1sgmA8vy16
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 27, 2022
Following a cross-country collision on Sunday in California, Amtrak has now had two such accidents in the past few days. A train and a passenger car collided at an unguarded crossing. Three persons were killed, and two more were severely injured.