At least 3 dead after Amtrak train derails over I-5

Several people were killed Monday after an Amtrak passenger train derailed between Tacoma and Olympia, spilling cars onto Interstate 5.

Authorities said Monday afternoon there are 3 confirmed deaths at the train derailment site Seattle. An official told the AP an obstruction on the tracks might have been responsible for the derailment, which happened at 7:33 a.m., though reports later in the day suggested the train may have been traveling at more than double the speed limit.

The National Transportation Safety Board is at the scene investigating.

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Amtrak Cascades train 501 was a new early morning high-speed service between Seattle and Portland that launched from Seattle on Monday morning at 6 a.m. According to an online tracker, the train had been moving at 81 miles per hour -- near its maximum speed -- on its inaugural voyage before cars came off the track at an overpass near Mounts Road in DuPont.

Gay Banks Olson, Amtrak's assistant superintendent of operations, told reporters it was too soon to determine whether speed was a factor in the derailment.

"I can tell you that it's being investigated by the NTSB, and anything beyond that right now -- until their findings are out -- is pure speculation," Olson said.

The train was comprised of 12 cars and two engines. Thirteen of the 14 total cars jumped the tracks, according to Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova.

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City of DuPont Fire Chief Larry Creekmore also says more than 100 patients transported for treatment Monday.

There may be more deceased victims inside cars dangling from the overpass.

"When we got to the scene it was obvious that there were some fatalities, and there were a lot of injuries. Some people were able to get off the train," Pierce County Sheriff's office spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters. "On the other side of that bridge there's three or four more cars that are upside down on the road and in the woods."

Despite warnings to stay away from the scene, onlookers gathered at the crash site. Dozens of emergency vehicles remained at scene hours after the derailment. Train cars dangled over freeway.

Andrea Weathers and her husband live nearby in Nisqually and were first alerted to the derailment thanks to sirens from emergency response vehicles.

"Somebody's on the run," she first thought. Then she saw the train crash on the news.

"What's amazing is that no one (on the freeway) died," she said, noting how congested the road is during rush hour. "That's a miracle."

Several automobiles were struck by the derailed cars, resulting in injuries. Earlier reports claimed no motorists were killed in the incident, but Bova would not confirm those reports in the afternoon.

Olson confirmed 77 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the train, which has a capacity of around 250 people, at the time of the derailment. Amtrak advised individuals with questions about friends or family to call 800-523-9101. The State Patrol set up a family reunification center at DuPont City Hall.

CHI Franciscan Health reported victims were transported to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston Counties, including four "level red patients" with severe injuries. Patients were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center and Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, St. Clair Hospital in Lakewood, St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, as well as other medical facilities in the region. Twenty patients were treated at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Bloodworks Northwest urged anyone in the area who is able to schedule a blood donation to do so using their website.

Chris Karnes, chair of the Pierce Transit Community Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG) in Tacoma, was on board the train for the initial run and tweeted about the incident.

The Thurston County Sheriff's office called the derailment "a massive incident" and urged people to avoid the area. Southbound I-5 has been closed and traffic diverted. The freeway may be closed for much of the day Monday, if not longer, according to State Patrol spokeswoman Bova.

"After the emergency response is complete, and the (NTSB) has released the scene, the train will be removed from the interstate right of way," a statement from Washington State Department of Transportation read in part. "We anticipate this will be a lengthy process due to the severity of the incident and the size and weight of the train cars."

@wspd1pio anticipates all I-5 SB lanes at Mounts Rd. will be shut down for entire day. Please follow @wsdot_tacoma for traffic alternates.

— WA State Patrol (@wastatepatrol) December 18, 2017

Amtrak canceled Cascades trains 504 and 509, which provide service between Seattle and Portland.

Amtrak Cascades service is a joint venture owned by WSDOT and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Amtrak handles day-to-day operations as a contractor.

The new route uses a stretch of Sound Transit tracks known as the Point Defiance Bypass that goes through Lakewood and along I-5. The stretch was renovated as part of a $181 million project begun in 2010.

The track was previously owned by BNSF Railways. Its use was expected to shave about 10 minutes off travel times, as passenger trains would no longer have to slow down or share single-track tunnels with freight or military transport trains near Point Defiance and along southern Puget Sound.

"As owners of the corridor, Sound Transit managed the track upgrade work under an agreement with WSDOT," the WSDOT statement read. "Funding for the upgrades was provided by the Federal Railroad Administration, which reviewed work throughout the duration of the contract. Today was the first day of public use of the tracks, after weeks of inspecting and testing."

President Donald Trump responded to the incident on Twitter, pointing to the derailment as an example of the country's crumbling infrastructure.

The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan released a statement pledging the city's help:

"This catastrophic derailment is horrific. My thoughts are with the passengers, families and those injured as well as our first responders, firefighters and police who rushed to the scene," the statement read. "The city of Seattle has offered our assistance and aid to Pierce and Thurston counties, and is ready to work with Amtrak, local, state and federal officials as they manage the response and deal with the aftermath of this tragic incident."

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee urged people to say away from the scene of the "serious and ongoing emergency."

"Everyone should avoid traveling I-5, and WSDOT is working to open alternative routes through the area during the emergency response," Inslee said in a statement. "This morning I spoke with my cabinet officials, and we are in touch with Amtrak who we know are working to provide as much information as possible."

SeattlePI reporter Daniel DeMay contributed to this story.