32 Injured When Amtrak Train To Chicago Derailed In Kansas

By Mae Rice in News on Mar 14, 2016 4:24PM

Thirty-two people were injured when an Amtrak train heading to Chicago from Los Angeles derailed in Kansas just after midnight this morning, according to a statement from Amtrak.

Injured passengers were taken from the site of the accident—20 miles west of Doge City—to hospitals in Garden City and Dodge City. This morning, 29 of them were discharged, according to Amtrak's statement. Meanwhile, uninjured passengers were taken to a 4-H recreation center in Cimarron, Kansas; Amtrak plans to send them to their final destinations on alternate transportation.

The train in question, the Amtrak Southwest Chief Train 4, had ten cars, eight of which got derailed, according to the company. Four of the derailed cars ended up on their sides, according to the Tribune.

One passenger, 21-year-old Kelsey Wilson, told the Tribune she felt the ride "getting really bumpy" as the train car disconnected from the one in front of it:

Wilson said she escaped through the top of the flipped car then slid down the side before she "passed out." She was taken to a hospital and released with a neck brace.

All told, Amtrak said there were 131 passengers and 14 crew members aboard the train. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the derailment.

People with questions about their friends and family aboard this train should call 1-800-523-9101 for information.