Amtrak Crash Near Philadelphia Kills 2, Injures 30+

Two rail employees dead, over 35 passengers injured in tragic Amtrak crash

AMTRAK CRASH – Safety practices are coming into question after an Amtrak train struck a backhoe, killing two rail workers who were on the wrong track at the wrong time.

Almost one year after Amtrak train 188 derailed near Philadelphia in the deadliest train wreck in Amtrak’s history, another fatal Amtrak crash occurred just outside Philadelphia on Sunday morning. The crash killed the backhoe operator and supervisor,  and wounded more than 35 passengers.

The train was headed from New York to Savannah. GA, when it encountered the equipment on the track. The engineer applied the brake but in not nearly enough time to avoid a collision, as the locomotive was traveling at 106 miles per hour (in a 100 MPH zone).

The train’s inward-facing and outward-facing surveillance video has been obtained and will be under investigation, but authorities say there is a “large amount of data” to go through in order to determine how this happened. National Transportation Safety Board investigators will also speak with work crews and dispatchers to identify where the problem originated and help ensure that this sort of tragedy is not repeated. While there are numerous safeguards in place to prevent just such an accident, there was clearly an error made, and it is important that those responsible be held accountable.

Train crashes and Amtrak accidents are rare, but when they do occur they are often devastating due to trains’ massive size and high speed travel. If you or someone you love have been hurt in an Amtrak accident or in another major transportation incident, contact our firm for a free consultation. We have helped victims of Amtrak accidents, plane crashes, bus accidents, and car and truck wrecks. We would welcome the opportunity to help you. Fill out our email form or call us, day or night.