An Amtrak train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed Monday after striking a dump truck at a public crossing in Missouri, Amtrak said. Amtrak said it had received “early reports” of injuries, though it’s not clear how many people were hurt.
Amtrak said the train, which was carrying approximately 243 people, hit a truck in Mendon, Missouri — about two hours northeast of Kansas City — at approximately 1:42 p.m. local time, causing “several” cars to derail. The service said local authorities are working to assist passengers.
University of Missouri Health Care, a hospital in Columbia, Missouri, said it is receiving three patients from the derailment — though it said that number could change.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said approximately eight cars derailed.
Amtrak did not provide any additional information about the crash or the condition of the train and its passengers. But photographs and videos appeared to show multiple cars turned on their side with passengers sitting on top, and another video appeared to show passengers comforting each other from the inside of an overturned train car.
Congressman Sam Graves, who represents Mendon, said he’s “closely monitoring” the derailment.
