READING, OH — Three people died and at least 51 others were injured Monday when an Amtrak train carrying more than 200 people derailed near Mendon, Missouri, after hitting a dump truck at an uncontrolled crossing.
Members of a church group from Hamilton County were among the more than 200 passengers of the train, which was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago, according to our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati. The derailment was reported just before 1 p.m. Monday.
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Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Reading posted on Facebook Monday that a group from the parish was involved in the derailment.
“Thankfully, they were only shook up a bit and nobody was seriously injured. Please pray for them as they try and make their way safely home,” the post read.
Church officials said the group was on the train following a mission trip to Tohatchi, New Mexico.
Later Monday, the church issued an update and said their members were “OK,” but four parishioners were taken to hospitals to be evaluated for concussions and other injuries.
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“Lots of sore backs and necks, but we all have our lives. People we met on the train are not ok,” the church said.
Cpl. Justin Dunn, with the Missouri Highway Patrol, confirmed Monday evening that seven cars derailed. He said among the three dead was the driver of the dump truck.
A team from the National Transportation Safety Board investigators are expected to arrive today, according to the Associated Press.
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