Investigators work to pinpoint cause of Amtrak derailment
Jul 3, 2017, 6:02 AM
An Amtrak train derailed in Steilacoom on Sunday. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
On Monday, the focus turns to the investigation after an Amtrak train derailed in Steilacoom.
Overnight, Burlington Northern Sante Fe crews worked to get four derailed cars upright after Sunday’s accident.
Investigators will work to pinpoint the cause of the crash on Monday.
The train was on its way from Portland to Seattle when it derailed just north of Chambers Bay right before the tracks go over the water.
None of the 267 people on board were seriously hurt.
Passengers said they were especially alarmed to see a railroad worker in the water after the derailment.
“We actually saw the engineer was in the water swimming away from the bridge,” said a witness.
That man is OK.
Passengers later said they think he had been working on the Chambers Bay Bridge when the train was approaching.
West Pierce County fire officials said it was unclear whether the bridge was open or closed when the train approached.
KIRO 7 reached out to the railroad for details about what kind of work was happening on the bridge but has not yet heard back.
Amtrak trains between Seattle and Portland are scheduled to depart on time.
