SC Gov. McMaster responds after deadly train collision
Here’s how the South Carolina government and other elected officials are responding to Sunday morning’s deadly Amtrak train crash.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster is being briefed by Amtrak, then going to the crash scene. He is expected to brief the media at 10 a.m.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin called the morning’s crash a “tragic” incident that “highlights a growing problem” of train traffic in cities.
“Our prayers go out to all of the injured and their families,” Benjamin said. “While we have to wait for all of the facts, it is undisputed that freight train traffic is up precipitously.
“This increase in traffic combined with the human or mechanical failures we’ve seen lately, requires that the railroad companies, the federal and state government join us in realizing that we have a problem and immediately work toward a solution.”
Governor @henrymcmaster stopped by the reception site to check on survivors. Here, he’s chatting with Kate, one of our disaster-trained volunteers. #scnews pic.twitter.com/GLZYADx2bO
— Red Cross S.Carolina (@RedCrossSC) February 4, 2018
This is tragic & our prayers go out to all of the lost & injured. Anxiously awaiting the facts & answers as to how this never happens again. https://t.co/bn7imKMoSp
— Steve Benjamin (@SteveBenjaminSC) February 4, 2018
@henrymcmaster has been briefed on the train collision in Lexington County and will shortly be en route to EMD headquarters. His thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible tragedy. @wis10 @WLTX @wachfox @MaayanSchechter @postandcourier @abc_columbia
— Brian Symmes (@BrianSymmes) February 4, 2018
My prayers are with the families of those killed in the train crash in Lexington County this morning, and hoping for the best for all those injured. South Carolina is with you all! https://t.co/yYJzgc2vp3
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) February 4, 2018
This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 8:35 AM with the headline "SC Gov. McMaster responds after deadly train collision."