Passenger train derails near Steilacoom; no serious injuries
Jul 2, 2017, 4:11 PM | Updated: 9:57 pm
(West Pierce Fire)
(West Pierce Fire)
More than 250 passengers evacuated an Amtrak train heading to Seattle after it derailed near the Steilacoom and Chambers Bay area. No one was seriously injured.
KIRO 7 News talked to a passenger on the scene. She said the train wasn’t moving fast, but she felt something off before it detailed.
“The train wasn’t going fast. It was relatively slow. But you knew something was off when you felt all the braking,” she said.
Five buses arrived at the scene of the derailment to take passengers to Tacoma. One family told KIRO 7 News on the scene that passengers helped one another as they waited for buses.
“People were so nice. People helped carry my car seat and my bags,” said a mother with her baby.
The railroad tracks on which the locomotive derailed was reopened shortly before 6 p.m. for service at limited speeds, Amtrak said. The company released a statement on Twitter, saying that its team is investigating the cause.
Update on train 506: pic.twitter.com/wLCrZSI25o
— Amtrak (@Amtrak) July 2, 2017
Washington Department of Ecology reports that spill crews are looking into any possible threats to water near the railroad. Meanwhile, crews are working to bring the train, which was carrying 267 people, upright on the rails. The train runs between Vancouver, Canada, and Eugene-Springfield, Oregon.
Spills crews assessing threats to water as railroad company works to right derailment near Steilacoom. pic.twitter.com/ZxDLvdupHB
— WA Dept of Ecology (@EcologyWA) July 3, 2017
At 3:03 p.m. Lakewood police sent this tweet:
Amtrack derailed in Steilacoom, Lakewood Patrol and Marine Service Unit on scene assisting. Thankfully it appears there are no casualties. pic.twitter.com/zWJ9B2sHeS
— Lakewood (WA) Police (@LakewoodPD) July 2, 2017
Lakewood Patrol and Marine Service units are on scene assisting. According to Lakewood police there were no casualties reported.
At 3:06 p.m. Gig Harbor police sent out video of the derailed train:
#GigHarbor PD patrol boat assisting at scene of train derailment at Chambers Bay/Steilacoom area. pic.twitter.com/ni4YareJOX
— Gig Harbor Police (@GigHarborPolice) July 2, 2017
West Pierce Fire sent out a separate views of the derailment:
4 cars off the track, none in the water. pic.twitter.com/W4JtpOx75r
— West Pierce Fire (@WestPierce) July 2, 2017
Train derailment in Steilacoom. No injuries. Media can meet WPFR’s PIO at New Tacoma Cemetery. pic.twitter.com/48FCEZ07P6
— West Pierce Fire (@WestPierce) July 2, 2017
Thankfully no one was hurt. @PierceTransit safely evacuating passengers safely away from the scene. pic.twitter.com/QFi5cOKjIS
— West Pierce Fire (@WestPierce) July 2, 2017
The Gig Harbor Police Department patrol boat began assisting with deploying pollution control booms:
#GigHarbor PD patrol boat assisting with deploying pollution control booms at train derailment. pic.twitter.com/CoqUqBGUZl
— Gig Harbor Police (@GigHarborPolice) July 2, 2017
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
