(WLTX/WBTW) – Two people are dead and over 116 are injured after an Amtrak and freight train collided in Lexington County early Sunday.
The collision happened at 2:35 a.m., near Charleston Highway and Pine Ridge Road, according to Amtrak.
“Amtrak Train 91, operating between New York and Miami, came in contact with a CSX freight train at around 2:35 am in Cayce, South Carolina,” a statement from Amtrak said. “The lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars.”
There were eight crew members and approximately 139 passengers on board. Amtrak has set up a hotline where family can get information about people involved: 1-800-523-9101.
According to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster in a press conference, the two people killed were Amtrak employees. The Governor went on to say that there was no one on the CSX train and that it is believed not to have been hauling anything.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher identified the two killed as 54-year-old train engineer Michael Kempf and 36-year-old train conductor Michael Cella. Both men were in the train’s engine at the time of the crash. Fisher says she feels fortunate more people didn’t die.
The injured have been transported to local hospitals, and officials confirm everyone has been removed from the trains.
Palmetto Health hospitals confirmed they have received a total of 62 patients: 59 adults and 2 children. Two of those patients are expected to be admitted to the hospital. Lexington Medical Center said they had received 27 patients, all with minor injuries, and they are all being discharged.
The Dorn VA Medical Center said they received 12 patients from the crash, one of whom was a veteran, eight of them have been released, one was taken to a local hospital for further care and the others are expected to be released soon.
Adam Myrick with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department says injuries to other passengers range from small scratches to severe broken bones.
Palmetto Health Director of Emergency Preparedness Dr. Steve Shelton says one patient is in critical condition and two are in serious conditions, with the rest suffering minor injuries, like cuts and bruises.
Governor McMaster has been briefed on the situation, and National Transportation Safely Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt is on scene to investigate the accident.
“His thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible tragedy,” said McMaster’s spokesman, Bryan Symmes.
Sumwalt said in a press conference that the rail switch at the location of the crash was “lined and locked” to direct the rails onto the side track where the CSX train was resting. He explained that “lined and locked” means that the rail lines were aligned with that direction and locked in that position, in this case with a padlock.
Sumwalt said his team is hard at work investigating the crash and some pieces have already been sent back to be examined by specialists in Washington DC. So far crews have not located the black box data recorders for either train.
There were fuel leaks from the train, and approximately 5,000 gallons spilled, but Lexington County Spokesperson Harrison Cahill says those have been secured, and there is no threat to the public.
Emergency officials say a shelter has been set up at Pine Ridge Middle school for passengers. The Red Cross is assisting those at the shelter.
In a press conference the Governor praised the rapid response and hard work of all the first responders, as well as the Red Cross in giving aid and comfort to the victims.
