Westbound Empire Builder Derails near Joplin, Montana

UPDATE: Sunday Sept. 26, 2021  Noon

3 Dead, 5 still in hospital

(CHESTER) At a press conference in Chester this morning, Liberty County DES coordinator Sarah Robbins confirmed that three people were killed in Saturday's Amtrak train derailment near Joplin. Five cars on the westbound Empire Builder left the tracks about 3-miles west of Joplin. Four cars were leaning, but still upright. One car tipped onto its side.

Robbins said there were 141 passengers and 13 crew members on board. Ambulances from several surrounding counties responded, transporting the injured to area hospitals and medical centers for evaluation and treatment. As of this morning, she said five people remain hospitalized at Benefis hospital in Great Falls, and all were in stable condition.

Uninjured passengers were bused to motels in Shelby.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the derailment.

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UPDATE: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 6:30pm

(JOPLIN) – THE LIBERTY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONFIRMED SAT. NIGHT THAT THREE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN A DERAILMENT OF THE AMTRAK EMPIRE BUILDER WEST OF JOPLIN.

AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, POSSIBLY CREW MEMBERS WERE INJURED

There WERE approximately 146 passengers and 16 crew members onboard, with injuries reported. Individuals with questions about their friends and family aboard this train should call 800-523-9101.

The train consisted of two locomotives and 10 cars, with seven of those cars derailing. Amtrak WORKED with the local authorities to transport injured passengers, and safely evacuate all other passengers.

As a result of the derailment, Empire Builder trains 7/27 and 8/28 originating on Sat. Sept. 25 are cancelled between Minot, ND (MOT) and Shelby, MT (SBY). Additionally, on Sunday, Sept. 26, westbound Empire Builder train 7 will terminate in Minneapolis, MN (MSP) and eastbound Empire Builder train 8 will originate in Minneapolis, MN (MSP). No substitute transportation is available. Amtrak customers can contact us at 800-872-7245 to obtain additional information about the status of services.

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INITIAL RPT: Saturday, Sept 25, 2021 - 5:15pm

(JOPLIN) – Amtrak's westbound Empire Builder derailed Saturday afternoon (September 25, 2021) about a mile west of Joplin, Montana. Eyewitness accounts and photos from the scene show several cars off the track and leaning, with at least one car on its side.

Ambulances have responded from several local counties. No word yet on the number of or severity of any injuries suffered, nor on the cause of the derailment.

Photos from the scene are courtesy of Kimberly Fossen: