51 replies to this topic

[BillMagee]

At least one car overturned.

 

CHESTER, Mont. - The Montana Department of Transportation reports a train has derailed and is causing lane blockage on US 2 just outside of Chester.

Travelers should watch for emergency vehicles and reduce their speed.

MontanaNow

[KevinKorell]

KXLY-TV, Channel 4 in Spokane, WA, 9/25/21:

 

 

    Amtrak train derailed in Montana  

 

 

Emergency responders are on the scene of an Amtrak train derailment near Havre, Montana.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

Fox News, 9/25/21:

 

 

   Amtrak train derails in Montana, leaving passengers 'trapped' inside  

 

 

Emergency response crews are on the scene of an Amtrak train derailment in Havre, Montana, which has left several passengers temporarily stranded.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

KTVQ-TV, Channel 2 in Billings, MT, 9/25/21:

 

 

    Amtrak train derails along Montana's Hi-Line  

 

 

An Amtrak passenger train appears to have derailed in Liberty County Saturday afternoon.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Montana Right Now, 9/25/21:

 

 

    Montana senators respond to train derailment    

 

Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester Tweeted the following after an Amtrak passenger train derailed between Chester and Joplin.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Amtrak press release 9/25/21:
 

 

    STATEMENT ON EMPIRE BUILDER DERAILMENT NEAR JOPLIN, MT   

 
 
At approximately 4 p.m. MT, Empire Builder train 7/27, derailed operating near Joplin, MT. There are approximately 146 passengers and 16 crew members onboard, with injuries reported. Individuals with questions about their friends and family aboard this train should call 800-523-9101.
 
The train consisted of two locomotives and 10 cars, with seven of those cars derailing. Amtrak is working with the local authorities to transport injured passengers, and safely evacuate all other passengers.
 
As a result of the derailment, Empire Builder trains 7/27 and 8/28 originating on Saturday, Sept. 25, are cancelled between Minot, ND (MOT) and Shelby, MT (SBY). Additionally, on Sunday, Sept. 26, westbound Empire Builder train 7 will terminate in Minneapolis, MN (MSP) and eastbound Empire Builder train 8 will originate in Minneapolis, MN (MSP). No substitute transportation is available. Amtrak customers can contact us at 800-872-7245 to obtain additional information about the status of services.

About Amtrak®

For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel, and building for the future. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
 
Amtrak will provide additional details as they are available.

 

[KevinKorell]

Now getting reports of at least 3 fatalities.   Updated report from Fox News  9/25/21:

 

 

    Amtrak train derails in Montana, leaving at least 3 dead: report   

 

 

At least three Amtrak passengers were killed and more than 50 injured in Montana on Saturday when their train derailed, according to reports. 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

KRTV-TV, Channel 3 in Great Falls, MT, 9/25/21:

 

 

   Several dead, numerous injuries reported in Amtrak train derailment along Hi-Line    

 

 

Three people have died and there are numerous injuries reported after an Amtrak derailed in Liberty County along Montana's Hi-Line.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

Post Midnight, when the confirmations were coming that fatalities were in play, the message from Amtrak changed:
 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021   

  

UPDATE: STATEMENT ON EMPIRE BUILDER DERAILMENT NEAR JOPLIN, MONT.

 
We are deeply saddened to learn local authorities are now confirming that three people have lost their lives as a result of this accident. There are also reported injuries among the passengers and crew members traveling on the train. Amtrak is working with the local authorities to transport those who were injured to medical care, and to safely evacuate everyone else at the scene.
Our Incident Response Team has been initiated, and we are sending emergency personnel and Amtrak leadership to the scene to help support our passengers, our employees and their families with their needs. Individuals with questions about their friends and family aboard this train should call 800-523-9101.
Details:
At approximately 4 p.m. MT, Empire Builder train 7/27, traveling westbound from Chicago to Seattle/Portland, derailed operating on BNSF tracks near Joplin, Mont. There were approximately 141 passengers and 16 crew members onboard. The train consisted of two locomotives and 10 cars, with eight of those cars derailing.
We have a team on the ground to fully support the NTSB as they investigate the cause of the derailment.
Service Adjustments:
As a result of the derailment, Empire Builder trains 7/27 and 8/28 originating on Saturday, Sept. 25, are cancelled between Minot, N.D. (MOT) and Shelby, Mont. (SBY). Additionally, on Sunday, Sept. 26, westbound Empire Builder train 7 will terminate in Minneapolis (MSP) and eastbound Empire Builder train 8 will originate in Minneapolis (MSP). No substitute transportation is available. Amtrak customers can contact us at 800-872-7245 to obtain additional information about the status of services.
Amtrak will provide additional details as they are available.

[CNJRoss]

AP  9/25/21
 

At least 3 dead in Amtrak train derailment in Montana

 

 

JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) — At least three people were killed Saturday afternoon when an Amtrak train that runs between Seattle and Chicago derailed in north-central Montana, toppling several cars onto their sides, authorities said.

 

SNIP

 

Residents of communities near the crash site quickly mobilized to help the passengers.

 

Chester Councilwoman Rachel Ghekiere said she and others helped about 50 to 60 passengers who were brought to a local school.

 

“I went to the school and assisted with water, food, wiping dirt off faces,” she said. “They appeared to be tired, shaken but happy that they were where they were. Some looked more disheveled than others, depending where they were on the train.”

 

A grocery store in Chester, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the derailment, and a nearby religious community provided food, she said.

 

The passengers were taken by buses to hotels in nearby Shelby, said Ghekiere, whose husband works for the local emergency services agency and was alerted to the crash.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board will send a 14-member team, including investigators and specialists in railroad signals and other disciplines, to investigate the crash, spokesman Eric Weiss said.

 

In this photo provided by Kimberly Fossen an ambulance is parked at the scene of an Amtrak train derailment on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in north-central Montana. Multiple people were injured when the train that runs between Seattle and Chicago derailed Saturday, the train agency said. (Kimberly Fossen via AP)

 

More here with photo album.