Seven people, including one New Jersey man, are dead after an Amtrak train from Washington, D.C. to New York derailed in Philadelphia around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and not everyone on board has been accounted for yet. Investigators are looking into what caused the incident, which sent more than 200 to area hospitals.
Jim Gaines, 48, from Plainsboro is one of the victims. Gaines worked for the Associated Press.
Gov. Chris Christie said he offered emergency help from New Jersey after the accident. “Last night when I got back from the town hall meeting, I had a conversation with [Chief Counsel] Chris Porrino. I asked him to have our emergency management folks reach out to Philadelphia to make sure that if they needed help we, we offered help. They told us, at the time, they didn’t need help. They thought they had the situation under control. And this morning, I got an additional update on the number of deaths and injuries and the fact that they’re still looking,” he said. “And so, as you guys know, I ride that train route often. And have for the last 13 years, so it’s really disconcerting. And my thoughts go out to the families of those who have been lost and injured. And as we get more information, I’ll be sure to share it with you. But, I’m fascinated to know what happened since me and a lot of my staff ride that train on a regular basis. So, hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of why it happened and try to make sure we try to do what we need to do to prevent it again.”
Sen. Bob Menendez said he was horrified by the events. “As someone who regularly rides the Northeast Corridor to and from D.C., I am horrified by what happened. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the brave first responders who rushed to their aid. This hits especially close to home. There was a period of time last night when I didn’t know the whereabouts of my son, who was scheduled to be on an Amtrak back to New Jersey, and later found out he was on the next train and safe. Unfortunately, many New Jersey families this morning aren’t as fortunate as they search for loved ones and answers,” he said. “It’s imperative that the cause of the derailment is fully investigated. I have already been on the phone with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Congressman Donald Payne Jr. also released a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrific derailment and their families at this difficult time. We are grateful for the first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to rescue passengers, and we wish all those injured a full and speedy recovery,” it read. “This tragedy hits close to home. I regularly travel along the Northeast Corridor, as do many of my constituents and colleagues. I am pleased that federal investigators are already in the process of determining the cause of this derailment.”
Senate President Steve Sweeney also offered his condolences to victims’ families and the injured. “The derailment was a terrible accident with tragic consequences. Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their lives and to the passengers who were injured. We are grateful for the response by emergency workers. Everyone involved deserves support, especially those waiting to learn the fate of loved ones.”