UPDATE (1:59 p.m.): The Amtrak train carrying the lawmakers went in reverse to Charlottesville, where they disembarked. They were transferred to a bus, which will take them onward to the retreat in West Virginia.
UPDATE (12:42 p.m.): An update on the fatality and injury list.
NEW: Spokeswoman for the Congressional Institute, which is sponsoring the retreat, confirms the following to @NBCNews:
— Marianna Sotomayor (@MariannaNBCNews) January 31, 2018
- 1 fatality
- 1 critically injured
- 1 member sent to the hospital
- 1 member & 1 staffer being examined
- First aid being offered on train
UPDATE: Local news reports there has been at least one fatality and another in critical condition.
NOW: Amtrak train collides with garbage truck in Crozet. Nurse on scene reports at least one fatality and at least one in critical condition. NBC29 is on scene and will bring you more details as we get them. pic.twitter.com/eU0uYL0JQx
— NBC29 (@NBC29) January 31, 2018
***Original Post***
The annual Republican retreat is set to take place Wednesday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. However, there appears to have been an accident as the lawmakers were en route.
NEWS: Per a GOP aide (via a member on the train), the train carrying members of congress to the GOP Retreat just had some kind of accident.
— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) January 31, 2018
Said most ppl seem to be ok, but there also appear to be some injuries.
According to Politico's Jake Sherman, the train was involved in a collision.
NEWS — The train carrying GOP lawmakers to the retreat in West Virginia has collided with a dump truck. Initial reports indicate everything is OK.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 31, 2018
Photos of the accident are being shared on Twitter. The driver of the dump truck appears to be injured.
BREAKING: GOP train hit a truck on way to retreat. Sources say driver getting medical attention; members okay. Pic-> pic.twitter.com/99xmsGFEEs
— Rachael Bade (@rachaelmbade) January 31, 2018
From source on train: Reps. Larry Buschon, Roger Marshall, Brad Wenstrup are attending to drivers of the dump truck that was hit. Everyone in train apparently OK. Some other members and family on the train are praying.
— Nathan Gonzales (@nathanlgonzales) January 31, 2018
Amtrak has released a statement noting there are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members.
Amtrak: An Amtrak train came into contact with a vehicle that was on the tracks at 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Va. There are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members. Local law enforcement is investigating the incident and crews are inspecting the equipment for damage.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 31, 2018
Lawmakers who are on the train have begun tweeting that they are safe.
The retreat features three full days of Republican representatives and senators discussing their 2018 agenda. Both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to join them.
This post has been updated.