Southwest Chief Amtrak Train Crash at Dodge City Enroute Los Angeles to Chicago

Amtrak says it’s investigating what caused its Southwest Chief train to derail just west of Dodge City, Kan., shortly after midnight Monday, an incident that sent around 20 people to hospitals. The train was carrying 128 passengers and a crew of 14, the rail company says.

Dodge City firefighters, paramedics and police responded just after midnight Monday to a report of an Amtrak passenger train derailment just west of Dodge City. The Southwest Chief enroute to Chicago from Los Angeles derailed with five passenger cars on their sides. Amtrak reported The Southwest Chief train had nine cars and two locomotives.

Twenty people were transported to local hospitals. Another 100 passengers who weren’t injured were transferred to the 4-H Recreation Center in Cimarron, Kansas. Amtrak was assisting the passengers in reaching their destinations.

Passenger Daniel Szczerba posted pictures from the scene. The photos show that firefighters used ladders to access the train. Photos also showed that emergency window exits were pushed out. The scene appeared to be illuminated by emergency lighting — apparently from the fire department.

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