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3 killed, 50 injured after Amtrak train CRASHES into truck and derails in rural Missouri

Amtrak's Southwest Chief train was heading from Los Angeles to Chicago when it hit a truck on a public crossing at around 12:42 pm near Mendon

A passenger train from Los Angeles to Chicago collided with a dump truck in a rural part of Missouri, killing multiple passengers. 243 passengers and 12 staff members were on board the Amtrak train at the time of the accident.

At least 50 people have been injured after seven carriages fell off the rails and crashed on their sides. The accident occurred near Mendon at a remote crossroads on a gravel road with no lighting or electrical controls. The Amtrak's Southwest Chief train was heading east from Los Angeles to Chicago when it struck a truck that was on a public crossing at around 12:42 pm. According to authorities, one person aboard the dump truck was killed, and at least two individuals on the train died as a result of their injuries. The accident occurred the day after a car in Northern California was struck by an Amtrak train, leading to three deaths.

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Rob Nightingale, a passenger on the train, said that the train swayed back and forth when he was drifting off in his sleeper cabin. "It was like slow motion. Then all of a sudden I felt it tip my way. I saw the ground coming toward my window, and all the debris and dust," Nightingale told The Associated Press. "Then it sat on its side and it was complete silence. I sat there and didn't hear anything. Then I heard a little girl next door crying."

Passengers on the train tweeted pictures and videos from the scene. A user wrote, "The train I was traveling on derailed on the way to Iowa near Mendon Missouri." "Number one question inside this sideways Amtrak that derailed in Missouri: who parked a dump truck on the tracks in the middle of nowhere ??? Number one question everywhere else: since when do a couple trains per week derail in America?" another user posted along with a distressing video. Someone else tweeted, "Wow. Inside the Amtrak train that derailed onto its side in Missouri. #videosoftiktok credit: [TikTok@nowthis]" 

Several medevac helicopters arrived at the scene of the derailment. Along with a video, a user posted: "Multiple medevac helicopters are on scene of an Amtrak train derailment in the Mendon, Missouri area. The train was on course from Los Angeles to Chicago before it hit a dump truck and derailed. Authorities have not officially released if anyone was critically injured."

Amtrak issued a statement: "We are deeply saddened to learn that the Missouri State Highway Patrol is now confirming that three people, two passengers and the truck driver, have lost their lives as a result of this grade crossing incident. There are also several reported injuries among the passengers and crew members traveling on the train. Amtrak is working with local authorities to make sure those who are injured get medical care and everyone else receives services and transportation. We are grateful for the support from the local authorities who provided assistance and resources for our customers and employees. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has activated, and we will fully support the NTSB with its investigation. Additional details will be provided as available."

The NTSB has sent a team to examine the incident, led by Jennifer Homendy, the chairperson of the organization. She argued that it was too soon to make assumptions about why the truck was on the rails. During the time detectives inspect the area and collect evidence, trains won't be permitted to run on those lines, she added.