Live Updates: Amtrak Train Derails Near Dupont, Washington

Follow Breitbart News for updates on the derailment of Amtrak Cascades Train 501 near Dupont, WA, with multiple fatalities reported.

All times Pacific.

3:13 PM:

Diagram showing the curve Amtrak 501 was navigating at the time of the derailment, via @PostGraphics. It is unknown whether speed was a factor. https://t.co/h93M3QkM8y pic.twitter.com/k6gvvzVkD0

— Faiz Siddiqui (@faizsays) December 18, 2017

2:12 PM:

A long line of heavy equipment just arrived at the Amtrak crash scene to help move the rail cars. #AmtrakCrash pic.twitter.com/BwVhspBf3f

— Ted Land (@TedLandK5) December 18, 2017

1:53 PM: New briefing mentions possibility of object on track:

Latest information about the Amtrak train derailment in Washington: https://t.co/Sps2qU7ERc
– At least 6 killed; death count expected to rise, according to U.S. official
– Train may have struck something on the track
– Positive train control technology was not implemented pic.twitter.com/xYiQjlC87m

— Brendan Weber (@BrendanNWeber) December 18, 2017

1:15 PM: Brotherhood of man.

Another look at growing line for blood donations at Bloodworks Northwest in Olympia. Folks really stepping up to help those in need from Amtrak derailment #Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/WjirJX1ciF

— John Hopperstad (@JohnHopperstad) December 18, 2017

1:07 PM: The Associated Press reports via anonymous sources that the crash may have been caused by an object on the track. Via the New York Post:

Monday’s deadly Amtrak train derailment appears to have been caused by an object on the railway, according to a government official briefed on the crash.

A preliminary investigation suggests maintenance problems are unlikely to blame because the incident took place on brand-new tracks, the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

At least six people were killed and the death toll is expected to rise, the official said.

12:47 PM:

A few more aerial photos of the curve of the track #amtrak #amtrakderailment more solid reporting @seattletimes: https://t.co/78nGtkKeKl pic.twitter.com/UCOBJy9rJA

— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) December 18, 2017

12:34 PM: No fatalities yet from vehicles “crushed” by the train.

"Some of the #Amtrak cars were struck by the train and crushed," Pierce Co. detective says, praising quick work of first responders. "It's actually a miracle that…at this point there are no fatals from anybody that was inside those vehicles." pic.twitter.com/VvVLT4ZXbj

— ABC Columbia (@abc_columbia) December 18, 2017

12:28 PM:

We can see workers looking at the tracks behind the derailed Amtrak, just before it went into the left turn that leads to I-5 overpass. pic.twitter.com/oNSnkUU0q2

— Joseph O'Sullivan (@OlympiaJoe) December 18, 2017

12:16 PM: 

Images from the @Amtrak derailment scene showed one train car dangling from an overpass as first responders worked to rescue the victims, while other cars lay overturned on the ground. It was the first day of the train's new route. https://t.co/0prg1DUAPt pic.twitter.com/94KoXPgGU9

— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) December 18, 2017

12:01 PM: Updates from NTSB:

It's too early to know if the Amtrak train derailment was due to high speed, the NTSB says https://t.co/Pg0RVlC2gW pic.twitter.com/ot2IgPnK5m

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) December 18, 2017

The NTSB considers the Amtrak derailment to be a "major incident" and is getting ready to dispatch a 20-member go-team departing from Washington, D.C., this evening for Washington state, according to an NTSB official https://t.co/fR5u9ClMrf pic.twitter.com/OyHiMmEmOX

— CNN (@CNN) December 18, 2017

12:00 PM: Very little new information in Washington state DOT statement:

Our statement on today's Amtrak Cascades derailment. pic.twitter.com/BxORZ9cMqV

— Washington State DOT (@wsdot) December 18, 2017

11:53 AM: Another survivor’s account.

Scott Claggett of #Seattle was on the Amtrak train that derailed. He was in the lounge car. Says car suddenly leaned to the side, glass broke, things went black; he’s sore and back hurts. But is reassuring other passengers. #komonews pic.twitter.com/Ylw2OwxEib

— Suzanne Phan (@SuzannePhan) December 18, 2017

11:38 AM: Trump tweets video of his remarks during National Security Strategy speech:

Our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt prayers are with the victims of the train derailment in Washington State. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities… pic.twitter.com/Gyf5BdVm4G

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

11:36 AM: More aerial footage from ABC News.

CRASH UPDATE: New aerial footage shows the mangled wreckage after an Amtrak train derailed on its first passenger trip on a new route in Washington State, sending several cars toppling off a highway overpass; authorities say multiple people were killed. pic.twitter.com/Jp5paLvqCA

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) December 18, 2017

11:23 AM: 

Here’s audio from the Amtrak operator shortly after the tragic train derailment south of Tacoma. #amtrak501 pic.twitter.com/GC299YcFLN

— Kyle Iboshi (@KyleIboshi) December 18, 2017

11:18 AM: The train apparently was running at an unsafe speed. From local Fox affiliate Q13:

Transitdocs.com, a website that maps Amtrak train locations and speeds using data from the railroad’s train tracker app, says Train 501 was going 81.1 mph moments before the derailment Monday.

The state Department of Transportation posted information about the $180.7 million project online that says the maximum speed along that stretch of track is 79 mph.

11:11 AM: President Trump calls for infrastructure projects in response to fatal crash:

Trump responds to the Amtrak accident: "It is all the more reason why we must immediately start fixing the infrastructure of the United States" pic.twitter.com/209v8Qs38Z

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) December 18, 2017

The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White House.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

11:06 AM: One eyewitness account:

Man who was on the Amtrak train that derailed: “We could hear a crumpling of the train car and we were catapulted into the seats in front of us.” https://t.co/BdJzsdleQ2 pic.twitter.com/HEpeJ72XAS

— CNN (@CNN) December 18, 2017

11:05 AM: Aerial footage of the derailment site:

#UPDATE: At least six people killed after Amtrak train carrying 83 people on the first day of a new route derails onto interstate highway south of Seattle, U.S. official says. https://t.co/xVuKAE8xOZ pic.twitter.com/SqFMUhhOql

— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) December 18, 2017

11:03 AM: A statement from Amtrak reads:

Amtrak Cascades Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland, derailed south of Tacoma, Wash. There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.

Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101.  Local emergency responders are on the scene.

Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. No alternate transportation will be available