University of South Carolina grad heading investigation into Philadelphia Amtrak derailment
A University of South Carolina graduate is at the helm of the investigation into the Philadelphia Amtrak incident after the train derailed Tuesday morning, killing seven people and sending another 200 to area hospitals.
Peggy Binette, a USC spokeswoman, posted to her Twitter account that Robert Sumwalt is a lead investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board who is investigating the incident. Binette said Sumwalt was a graduate of the Darla Moore School of Business.
Sumwalt said Wednesday that the train was traveling from Washington to New York when it derailed after entering Philadelphia’s Port Richmond section. An initial investigation suggested the train, which was carrying approximately 238 passengers, was traveling at 106 mph in a 50 mph zone when it derailed. Passengers said they could feel the train begin to decelerate as it entered a curve.
Among the dead are Abid Gilani, vice president for Wells Fargo, Rachel Jacobs, chief executive officer for Philadelphia start-up AppreNet, Jim Gaines, an Associated Press employee and Justin Zemser, a U.S. Naval Academy student.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 12:59 PM with the headline "University of South Carolina grad heading investigation into Philadelphia Amtrak derailment."