x
Breaking News
More () »

Amtrak Train Hits Truck in West Virginia, Causes Fuel Leak

A hazmat team was requested.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Malloy.

WEST VIRGINIA -- An Amtrak train that departed from Union Station struck a semi-truck in West Virginia on Monday evening, officials say.

Amtrak train 29 departed Union Station at around 4:00 p.m. with intention of reaching Chicago just past 8:00 a.m.

Amtrak says the incident occurred at 5:35 p.m. when the train struck a vehicle in Ranson, West Virginia.

Amtrak says of the 108 passengers or crew members on board, no one was injured.

Michael Malloy, a passenger on board, says that the train jerked suddenly and then stopped. He says there was a smell of "grease" or a "petrol fire."

"People were pretty freaked out," he said over the phone on Monday night. According to Malloy, a conductor told him that the train was leaking fuel.

Loudoun Co. officials say they responded with hazmat to contain a fuel leak.

The incident was in Jefferson County at Luther Jones Road, involving Amtrak 875.

That’s according to MARC's website, which services the same track. They say that buses will be provided at nearby Duffsfield for Martinsburg passengers off MARC 875 and as needed for trains 879 and 881.

Malloy said Monday night that, although he can see buses and ambulances outside the window of the train, all passengers have remained on the train. Just past 7 p.m., he said there was an announcement that the train will be disconnecting from power to reconnect a new engine before they get back on their way.

The train was able to get back on its way about 3 and a half hours later, Amtrak said.

Before You Leave, Check This Out