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Monday morning proved deadly for commuters on a Tacoma-bound Amtrak train from Seattle. The accident occurred at DuPont, close to Tacoma at 7:30 am. The Amtrak train—on its inaugural trip—derailed above Interstate 5, causing several train cars to plunge into the busy morning commute.
Officials reported that seventy-eight passengers and five Amtrak employees were on board the ill-fated train. Dozens of injured passengers were transported to local hospitals, with at least five confirmed deaths. Officials expect the death count to increase.
Freeway cameras show one train car fallen onto the freeway, with another dangling from the railway bridge. Several train cars are reported to have derailed on the opposite side of the railway bridge. At this point, no vehicles traveling on I-5 are reported to have been struck by the train, which is very fortunate due to the high volume of traffic associated with the morning commute.
Unofficial reports indicate that the train was traveling at 81 mph at the time of the accident. The maximum speed along this part of the track has been set at 79 mph. At this point, speed is being considered as a possible contributing factor to the crash.
Governor Jay Inslee has declared the Amtrak derailment a state of emergency, which allows Washington State emergency resources to be fully utilized and accessed. Amtrak has canceled all traffic on the affected Seattle-Tacoma line, pending further investigation regarding the cause of this deadly accident.
Craig Swapp & Associates has the experience and winning track record you need on your side if your family has been impacted by a train accident. To arrange a free consultation with an experienced injury lawyer, call 1-800-404-9000 or complete the contact form below.
Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp