An Amtrak train carrying GOP members of Congress and their families was involved in a collision [1] Wednesday just before noon when it hit a garbage truck on the tracks in Crozet, Virginia. The small community located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains is west of Charlottesville.
News outlets are reporting there has been one fatality, a man on the truck.
A little past 1:00 the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville released an update stating three patients had been taken to the hospital, one in critical condition, and two more patients were en-route.
Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, confirmed on Twitter that he was not on the train and was safe.
Congressman Tom Garrett (R-VA) also was not on the train and his office confirmed he was safe:
“My colleagues and my friends were on the train, and it is very likely that or more Fifth District residents were injured during today’s collision. So I would ask that all take a moment today to think about everyone on the train, and keep them in your hearts, thoughts and prayers”
“Many of my colleagues were en route to the GOP Retreat when the train carrying them was involved in a collision in Abermarle County.”
“While we monitor the situation from our office in Washington, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and our first responders and law enforcement professionals who, as always, are doing their jobs and working to save lives.”
The train was on its way from Washington, D.C. to the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia for a Congressional retreat.
This is a developing story….
Update: It has been learned that Congressman Scott Taylor (R-VA) also was not on the train.
Background:
Train carrying members of Congress hits a truck, one dead [2]
Train carrying dozens of Congressional members hits truck, killing 1 [3]