At Least 2 Killed in South Carolina Amtrak Crash

Alix Langone
Updated
The train was traveling between New York and Miami.

At least two people were killed and more than 100 were injured in an Amtrak train crash in South Carolina crash early Sunday morning.

Train 91, which was traveling from New York’s Pennsylvania Station to Miami, hit an oncoming freight train and “the lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars,” according to an Amtrak statement.

The train was carrying 139 passengers and eight crew members when it crashed at 2:35 a.m. in Cayce, South Carolina. The two people who died were Amtrak engineer Michael Kempf, 54, and train conductor Michael Cella, 36, the coroner's office said.

Lexington County spokesperson Harrison Cahill said injuries ranged from broken bones to slight scratches, according the The State. The Lexington County Sheriff’s department said on Twitter that that collision happened near Charleston Highway and Pine Ridge Road.

At least 5,000 gallons of fuel also spilled as a result of the crash, but Cahill said there was "no threat to the public."

Amtrak’s twitter account says passengers can get information on passengers from train 91 by calling 1(800)523-9101.

The National Transportation Safety Board is beginning an investigation into the cause of the crash, which is unknown.

Another fatal Amtrak crash occurred just four days ago in West Virginia when the train, which was carrying scores of Republican lawmakers headed to a policy conference, hit a garbage truck at a train crossing, killing someone in the truck.