Investigators probe deadly Amtrak derailment
JOPLIN, Mont. — Federal officials sent a team of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board to the site of an Amtrak derailment in north-central Montana that killed three people and left seven hospitalized Sunday, officials said.
The westbound Empire Builder was going to Seattle from Chicago, with two locomotives and 10 cars, when it left the tracks about 4 p.m. Saturday near Joplin, a town of about 200.
The train was carrying about 141 passengers and 16 crew members on 10 cars, eight of which derailed, Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams said.
A 14-member team including investigators and specialists in railroad signals will look into the cause, said NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss.
Law enforcement said officials from the NTSB, Amtrak and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway arrived at the site that cuts through recently harvested wheat fields. Several large cranes were brought to the scene. Several rail cars could be seen on their sides.
The accident occurred about 150 miles northeast of Helena and about 30 miles from the Canadian border.
Most of those on the train were treated and released for their injuries, but five who were more seriously hurt remained at the Benefis Health System hospital in Great Falls, Mont., said Sarah Robbin, Liberty County emergency services coordinator. Two were in the ICU, another spokeswoman said.
Another two people were at Logan Health, a hospital in Kalispell, Mont., spokeswoman Melody Sharpton said. Liberty County Sheriff Nick Erickson said the names of the dead would not be released until relatives are notified.
Robbin said nearby residents rushed to offer help when the derailment occurred.
“We are so fortunate to live where we do, where neighbors help neighbors,” she said.
Amtrak said it sent emergency personnel and other officials to the site to help passengers, employees and local officials. It said company officials were “deeply saddened” to learn of the deaths.
Residents of communities near the crash site quickly mobilized.
“I went to the school and assisted with water, food, wiping dirt off faces,” said Chester Councilwoman Rachel Ghekiere. “They appeared to be tired, shaken but happy that they were where they were. Some looked more disheveled than others, depending where they were on the train.”