An Amtrak train derailed in Frankford, Philadelphia Tuesday night, killing five passengers and injuring more than 50. According to Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer, eight to ten train cars derailed on the 2000 block of Wheatsheaf Lane. Around 240 passengers were on board, en route to New York.
One of the passengers, NBC Nightly News producer Janelle Richards, said the derailment happened at around 9:20 p.m. She said she heard a crash and saw being tossed into the air. Afterwards, she reported seeing "a lot of smoke" and several injured passengers who were bleeding. According to Richards, the train was set to arrive in New York at 10:30 p.m.
Some firsthand accounts from other passengers on board can be seen below:
NBC10 reporter Keith Jones reportedly arrived at the scene shortly after 10 p.m. and said the injuries he saw on passengers seemed "minor." Although all of the passengers haven't been pulled from the train, some have already been taken to Aria Health Frankford.
[via NBC10/Philadelphia Inquirer]
UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: A news conference is expected to begin shortly.
UPDATE 11:18 p.m.: All Amtrak routes between Philly and NY are halted.
UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: 5 people have been confirmed dead.
UPDATE 12:40 a.m.:
UPDATE 12:47 a.m.:
Read Governor Tom Wolf's official statement below. Wolf has been working closely with Mayor Nutter and local officials since news of the derailment broke.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of those impacted by tonight’s train derailment. For those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and the families of all involved, this situation is devastating. I want to sincerely thank our first responders for their brave and quick action. I am closely monitoring the situation and I am in contact with state and local authorities.”
UPDATE 2:00 a.m.:
Here's an updated rundown of the current state of affairs in Philadelphia, via AP:
Officials say all seven cars of an Amtrak train that derailed in Philadelphia came off the tracks.
The train was carrying 243 people from Washington, D.C., to New York City on Tuesday night when it derailed in the Port Richmond neighborhood.
Fire Department spokesman Clifford Gilliam says the train had six passenger cars and the engine.
Mayor Michael Nutter says at least five people were killed and at least 65 people were transported to hospitals, including six in critical condition.
Nutter says not everyone who was on the train has been accounted for.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says the state will help Philadelphia in "whatever way we can."
Update 8:53 a.m.: A doctor confirmed to CNN that a sixth person has died. The total number of people injured is "at least 146."
Update 12:57 p.m.: The death total has now been updated to seven, according to NBC News. Four bodies have been found inside the train, two outside the wreckage, and another was confirmed dead at a hospital.
Update 2:34 p.m.: According to the Associated Press, the train was traveling at 107 miles per hour as it neared the curve:
BREAKING: AP analysis of video before Amtrak crash indicates train speed was about 107 mph nearing curve.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 13, 2015Update 5/14/15 (11:55 a.m.): Sources have told the Philadelphia Inquirer an eighth body has been discovered in the wreckage.
