How Amtrak train derailed in Mendon, Missouri, eyewitness accounts and more

According to the passenger rail operator, several individuals were injured when an Amtrak train derailed in Missouri.

The train collided with a dump truck at a public crossing near the city of Mendon at about 1:42 pm CT, as per the firm.

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“There are approximately 243 passengers onboard with early reports of injuries,” company officials informed. “Local authorities are currently assisting customers and we have deployed Amtrak resources to assist.”

Chillicothe Chief Eric Reeter of the Fire Crew acknowledged the derailment and stated that his department is ready to assist authorities if necessary.

Multiple people were killed and at least 50 were injured after the incident, according to Eric McKenzie, supervisor of Chariton County Ambulance Service.

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Mendon is located approximately 100 miles northeast of Kansas City. The train was making its way from Los Angeles to Chicago.

A passenger, Ron Goulet of Flagstaff, Arizona, told The Daily Beast publication that it seemed to be a “mass casualty event” as he was being escorted away from the area on a school bus provided by officials.

When contacted via phone by the publication stated that he was unharmed and that the train, which was headed from Los Angeles to Chicago, derailed after colliding with a vehicle.

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“They’ve got every rescue helicopter and crew here from every direction,” Goulet revealed. “We are in Chariton County, Missouri. The train toppled over on its side. Every seat was sold out full, and they were packing people into the observation car because they were so full. There are plenty of people on back boards being taken [away] by paramedics.”

“I did not personally see anybody dead,” Goulet claimed, but “there are no doubt people still trapped on that train. They’re starting to cut it apart now.”

Another passenger, Rob Nightingale, recorded a video of himself sitting on top of the overturned train on Facebook, claiming the truck was hit as it crossed the tracks.

According to Goulet, survivors were taken to a nearby elementary school for triage. He stated that there looked to be dozens of people queuing to be seen by medical personnel.

The derailment today is the second major catastrophe concerning Amtrak in the last two days. When an Amtrak train crashed with an automobile in Brentwood, California, three persons were killed and two were critically injured, including a minor.