BREAKING: Train Carrying GOP Lawmakers Slams Into Truck — Emergency Response On Scene, 1 Fatality Confirmed
Christian Datoc
The Daily Caller
An Amtrak train carrying several members of Congress was involved in an accident with a large truck Wednesday just before noon eastern time.
According to The Atlantic’s Elaine Plott, the train was taking the congressmen from Union Station in Washington, D.C. to a Republican retreat in Greenbrier, West Virginia.
http://twitter.com/RepJeffDenham/status/958746186495741953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycaller.com%2F2018%2F01%2F31%2Ftrain-carrying-republicans-wreck-photos-video%2F
MSNBC obtained footage of passengers, all of whom were traveling to the retreat, interacting with medical personnel shortly after the incident was first reported.
According to interviews with several congressmen onboard the train, some of the first responders were actually doctor-members who rushed to treat those injured in the wreck. (RELATED: The First GOP Members Off The Train After The Crash Were Doctors Demanding To Help The Injured)
WATCH:
Multiple injuries have already been reported. It is not yet clear what caused the accident, but photos from the scene show that the truck has sustained extreme damage.
BREAKING: GOP train hit a truck on way to retreat. Sources say driver getting medical attention; members okay. Pic-> pic.twitter.com/99xmsGFEEs
— Rachael Bade (@rachaelmbade) January 31, 2018
It appears that the injuries are minor and all members, their families and staff appear to be unharmed.
http://twitter.com/elainaplott/status/958743198985326592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycaller.com%2F2018%2F01%2F31%2Ftrain-carrying-republicans-wreck-photos-video%2F
On the scene of an @Amtrak train crash in Crozet. Police say it is a HAZMAT situation. #Charlottesville @CBS19News #Virginia pic.twitter.com/mSSHaVoJlh
— Jack Durkin (@DurkinWeather) January 31, 2018
The driver of the truck has reportedly died on the scene.
BREAKING: Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) tells me 3 passengers aboard the hit truck. 1 is dead. 2 injured. He and other lawmakers helped carry one of the injured truck passengers to an ambulance with local medical personnel.
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) January 31, 2018
Sen. Jeff Flake described the harrowing scene to CNN.
WATCH:
http://twitter.com/DaniellaMicaela/status/958750999371395072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycaller.com%2F2018%2F01%2F31%2Ftrain-carrying-republicans-wreck-photos-video%2F
President Trump has been briefed on the situation.
The White House is reportedly communicating with state, local and Amtrak authorities as they investigate the crash’s cause. (RELATED: Trump White House Responds To Deadly Amtrak Crash)
Though the crash resulted in a fatality, multiple pundits joked about the incident on Twitter as being a “metaphor” for the Republican party.
This is a developing story. The Daily Caller will continue to update this piece as more information becomes available.