3 people died, 77 injured after the Amtrak train came off the track

A number of people have died after a train derailed while crossing a highway bridge in Washington State. Three deaths have been confirmed by Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer.

The sheriff’s office said “multiple” motorists were injured when their vehicles were hit but no fatalities have been reported. A total of 77 people have been taken to hospital, a statement from local hospitals said.

The train, with about 78 passengers and five crew, was on a bridge over the Interstate-5 highway in Pierce County, 40 miles south of Seattle, when it came off the tracks.

Traffic cameras and police photos showed carriages dangling off the bridge onto the highway and others smashed onto the busy road below. Amtrak said initial reports indicate “some injuries” to passengers and crew.

Dozens of emergency services were at the scene, including military personnel from the nearby Madigan Army Medical Center. The Thurston County Sheriff tweeted: “Please be advised of a massive incident involving a train derailing on the Mounts Rd overpass on I5.