CSX statement on Sunday’s fatal Amtrak crash
CSX, the railroad company, issued a statement about Sunday’s fatal crash between one its trains and an Amtrak passenger train in Cayce.
CSX issued the statement on Twitter around 5 p.m., more than 14 hours after the crash occurred in Lexington County.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the families of the two individuals who passed away following the tragic events that took place in Cayce, SC this morning. We remain focused on providing assistance and support to those impacted by today’s accident.”
Our sincere condolences go out to the families of the two individuals who passed away following the tragic events that took place in Cayce, SC this morning. We remain focused on providing assistance and support to those impacted by today's accident.
— CSX (@CSX) February 4, 2018
CSX tweeted about the crash after 8 a.m.
“An incident involving a CSX train and an Amtrak train occurred today in Cayce, SC. CSX personnel are on site to assist state and local authorities, who are responding to the incident.”
An incident involving a CSX train and an Amtrak train occurred today in Cayce, SC. CSX personnel are on site to assist state and local authorities, who are responding to the incident. More details to come.
— CSX (@CSX) February 4, 2018
Amtrak Train 91, operating between New York and Miami, crashed with a CSX freight train parked on the tracks at around 2:35 a.m. The lead engine derailed, as well as some passenger cars.
As many as 116 people were injured in the early morning crash that occurred in a wooded area near a collection of small neighborhoods west of Columbia. Investigators focused on whether the crash in the Pine Ridge-Cayce area was caused by a misaligned track switch that sent the Amtrak veering off course.
The two people killed in the train wreck were identified as Amtrak employees, Michael Kempf, 54, of Savannah, Ga., and conductor Michael Cella, 36, of Orange Park, Fla. The company issued a statement saying it “was deeply saddened’’ by the day’s tragedy.
Amtrack previously released a statement, saying “We are deeply saddened to report the death of two of our employees in this morning’s derailment. … Amtrak is working to take care of everyone who was on the train, including family members of our passengers and crew.”
Amtrak statement on fatal train crash in Cayce
We are deeply saddened to report the death of two of our employees in this morning’s derailment in Cayce, South Carolina. Additionally, affected customers reporting injuries have been transported to local hospitals.
We are cooperating fully with the NTSB, which is leading the investigation, as well as working with FRA and CSX. CSX owns and controls the Columbia Subdivision where the accident occurred. CSX maintains all of the tracks and signal systems. CSX controls the dispatching of all trains, including directing the signal systems which control the access to sidings and yards.
Amtrak is working to take care of everyone who was on the train, including family members of our passengers and crew. Families with questions about customers on the train can contact us at 800-523-9101.
This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 5:52 PM with the headline "CSX statement on Sunday’s fatal Amtrak crash."