Two GOP Lawmakers Hurt as Train Crashes Into Truck
PHOTO: Scene of crash.
Earlier in the morning of January 31st, 2018, an Amtrak train carrying loads of Republican lawmakers crashed into a dump truck in Crozet, Virginia near the city of Charlottesvile. The crash has left one dead, and multiple injured.
Two of the injured are Republican lawmakers and members of Congress, of which were among many aboard the Amtrak train going to West Virginia for a Republicans' retreat and 'vacation-style' break from their work.
According to reports, the lawmakers of which were not injured have been switched onto busses and being transported to the retreat anyways.
Numerous witnesses of the crash stated they do not think the crash was anything more than an accident, citing the possibility that the dump truck was stuck on the tracks. They stated they did not believe many people on the train were hurt.
In fact, at first, the Amtrak company said nobody on the train was injured.
According to numerous people inside of the train, the front engine of which struck the dump truck had derailed, though luckily didn't prompt other train cabins to derail of which would've been catastrophic - similar to the recent Seattle derailment.
"People were launched from their seats," a GOP lawmaker Flake told media sources. "It took me a while to find my phone, and the water in front of us went flying about. For anyone who was standing, they probably got launched hard, it was a hard impact."
Many people part of the Republican Congress have been said to have bruises or cuts following the crash. Paul Ryan, the House speaker for the GOP, was on the train at the time and is said to be 'OK' according to sources.
The President and Mike Pence weren't on the train, though are expected to appear at the retreat in the next few days. The White House said the President was briefed on the crash by John Kelly in the Oval office.
The driver of the dump truck was said to be the only one killed in the crash. Members of Congress and political giants have expressed their condolences for the deceased and their prayers for those who have been injured.