An Amtrak train carrying about 350 people derailed south of Philadelphia on Sunday morning, resulting in a suspension of Northeast Corridor service between New York City and Philadelphia.
Palmetto Train 89 was headed from New York to Savannah, Ga., when it struck a backhoe on the tracks, causing the lead engine to derail, Amtrak said in a statement. It was carrying seven crew members and about 341 passengers, some of whom were being treated for injuries, Amtrak said.
Service on the Northeast Corridor between New York and Philadelphia has been suspended.
The crash happened shortly after 8 a.m.
An Amtrak official says more than 30 people have been transported to hospitals with injuries following a crash and derailment of an Amtrak train just outside of Philadelphia. Spokesman Mike Tolbert said the injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday, the Federal Railroad Administration said investigators had arrived at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team of investigators to join them.
Local police told affiliate NBC10 that two people died and at least one was hurt.
The Chester police and fire departments could not be reached for comment.
Authorities said the backhoe belonged to Amtrak.
Ari Ne’eman, a disability rights activist heading to Washington after speaking at an event in New York, said he was in the second car at the time of the crash.
“The car started shaking wildly, there was a smell of smoke, it looked like there was a small fire and then the window across from us blew out,” said Ne’eman, 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Some of the passengers started to get off after the train stopped, but the conductor quickly stopped them. Officials started evacuating people to the rear of the train and then off and to a local church.
“It was a very frightening experience. I’m frankly very glad that I was not on the first car,” where there were injuries, he said. “The moment that the car stopped, I said Shema, a Jewish prayer … I was just so thankful that the train had come to a stop and we were OK.”