Amtrak train collides with dump truck, derails in Missouri
MENDON, Mo. (AP) — A passenger train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed in a remote, rural area of Missouri on Monday after hitting a dump truck that was blocking a public crossing, Amtrak said, and some people aboard were injured.
It was not immediately clear how many people were hurt. At least eight medical helicopters were responding from around the state, Matt Daugherty, Lifeflight Eagle director of business development, told The Kansas City Star. Daugherty said he knew there were a number of injuries and some people were in critical condition.
The Southwest Chief was carrying about 243 passengers and 12 crew members when the collision happened near Mendon at 12:42 p.m. CT, Amtrak said. Eight cars and two locomotives derailed.
Helicopter video shown by KMBC-TV in Kansas City from the scene showed rail cars on their side as emergency responders used ladders to climb into one of them. The video also showed six medical helicopters parked nearby waiting to transport patients.