Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Two dead and 35 injured after Philadelphia Amtrak train derails

Amtrak has suspended all train journeys from New York to Philadelphia

Adam Withnall
New York
,Rachael Revesz
Sunday 03 April 2016 15:02 BST
Comments
Train 89 was carrying 341 passengers and seven crew
Train 89 was carrying 341 passengers and seven crew (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two people have died after a train carrying around 350 passengers and crew crashed and derailed just south of the US city of Philadelphia.

Authorities said an Amtrak train struck a piece of construction equipment just south of Philadelphia.

The Chester Fire Department told ABC News that 17 people have been hurt, with one person seriously injured. That number was later revised to 35 people who were injured.

Services on the Northeast Corridor, between New York and Philadelphia, were suspended as a result of the crash, which derailed the lead engine of the train.

Amtrak said Train 89 was heading from New York to Savannah, Georgia, when it struck a backhoe - a mechanical digger - that was on the track in Chester, about 15 miles outside of Philadelphia.

About 341 passengers and seven crew members were on board. One passenger, who was sitting in the second carriage, told ABC News that the train became "extremely bumpy" and the window across the aisle from him started to break apart.

Passengers have reportedly been moved to a local church.

Local emergency responders were on the scene and the crash was being investigated.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in