Death toll rises to 4 in crash of Amtrak L.A.-Chicago train

LOS ANGELES >> The death toll from the Missouri derailment of an Amtrak train that originated at Los Angeles Union Station and was bound for Chicago rose to four Tuesday, while federal transportation authorities began their investigation into the crash that forced the train off the tracks.

The train, which left Union Station Saturday night and passed through Fullerton and Riverside as it began a roughly 43-hour journey to Chicago, derailed at 10:42 a.m. California time Monday in Mendon, Missouri, where it slammed into a dump truck that was on the tracks, Amtrak officials said.

Authorities reported Monday that three people had died and dozens others were injured. On Tuesday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the death toll had risen to four — three people aboard the train and one from the dump truck, believed to have been the driver.

“Law enforcement officials working in conjunction with first responders and Amtrak officials have determined approximately 150 people were transported from the scene to 10 area hospitals for treatment of injuries that range from minor to serious in nature,” according to MSHP. “Amtrak officials stated there were approximately 275 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the train.”

The names of those who died in the crash have not been released, so it was unclear if any were from California.

According to Amtrak, people seeking information about relatives or friends aboard the train can call 800-523-9101.

National Transportation Safety Board officials were on the scene Tuesday to being a formal investigation into the crash. Authorities noted Monday that the crossing where the crash occurred was not restricted by crossing gates to protect traffic from oncoming trains.