MENDON, Mo. (NewsNation) — Three people have died and at least 50 were injured after an Amtrak passenger train hit a dump truck and derailed in Missouri Monday afternoon.
Two people on the train and one person in the dump truck were killed in the collision, Missouri Highway Patrol Corporal Justin Dunn said in a press conference Monday evening.
Nine passengers were taken to University Hospital in Columbia, hospital spokesman Eric Maze said. He did not have information on their conditions. Patients were also transported via helicopter to area hospitals.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said eight train cars derailed and officers from multiple agencies were on the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it was deploying a “14 member go-team to investigate” the crash and had activated an 800 number for family members seeking information about passengers in the wreck. The number to call is 800-523-9101.
The train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago when it struck a dump truck at a public crossing in the rural Missouri city of Mendon.
Gov. Mike Parson addressed the crash while speaking with reporters Monday afternoon.
“Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the people that were on that train. The family, the rescue people.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also commented on the crash.
“My heart goes out to all those affected by today’s horrific train derailment in Missouri. While there are no words that can console those grieving lost loved ones, may it bring them comfort that so many Americans pray for them on this tragic day.”
Passengers on the train included high school students from Pleasant Ridge High School in Easton, Kansas, who were headed to a Future Business Leaders of America conference in Chicago, Superintendent Tim Beying told The Kansas City Star.
Mendon is about 84 miles northeast of Kansas City.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.