Rouzer, Pittenger OK after train carrying GOP lawmakers hits truck

WASHINGTON (WWAY) — A train carrying Republican members of Congress to their retreat in Greenbrier, West Virginia, has hit a truck. The White House confirmed the report, and said in a statement that there is one known fatality and one serious injury.

The lawmakers were scheduled to spend the next few days at the West Virginia resort for their annual issues conference.

No lawmakers were believed injured in the accident.

Rep. Robert Pittenger, whose district covers from Charlotte to Bladen County, was on the train, but tweeted that he was OK.

I am on the train, and I am okay. Praying for others involved.

— Congressman Robert Pittenger (@RepPittenger) January 31, 2018

Pittenger later talked to WWAY and said he was standing at a bar on the train when “there was a severe jar.”

“I just held on,” Pittenger said by phone from the crash site. “We didn’t know what had happened.”

Pittenger said he looked out the window and saw trash scattered and the truck severed.

“I feel an enormous grief for these families,” Pittenger said. “Somebody’s spouse won’t have a husband coming home or kids their dad or whatever it is. It just was an unnecessary loss; an accident that didn’t need to happen. We’re all witnessing that and praying for that (injured) person that they’ll be OK.”

The Congressman said he and the other members were just waiting in the middle of the country in central Virginia watching what was going on and waiting to likely head back toward Charlottesville, VA, to board buses to finish their trip.

“Our interruption is an inconvenience. That’s not a big deal. That’s inconsequential,” Pittenger said.

Rep. David Rouzer, who represents much of southeastern North Carolina in the 7th District, was also on the train and unhurt, according to his spokeswoman.

WWAY could not immediately reach Rouzer, but the StarNews reached him by phone shortly after the crash.

“Most members are fine,” he told the newspaper. “There will be some sore necks and bumps and bruises, but most of us are just fine.”

The White House released a statement about the accident early Wednesday afternoon: “The President has been fully briefed on the situation in Virginia and is receiving regular updates. There is one confirmed fatality and one serious injury. There are no serious injuries among members of Congress or their staff. Senior Administration officials are in regular contact with Amtrak and state and local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by this incident.”

The specially chartered Amtrak train departed Union Station in Washington, D.C. at about 8:30 a.m., and the train hit the back of a garbage truck at about 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Virginia. The impact threw train passengers from their seats, but so far, lawmakers appear not to have sustained major injuries. Many are also traveling with their spouses and staff.

“We’re fine, but our train hit a garbage truck. Members with medical training are assisting the drivers of the truck,” Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., wrote on Twitter.

A GOP aide said the train is partially derailed.

Oklahoma GOP Rep. Tom Cole says a person on the truck may have been seriously injured..

Cole said he’s not aware of any injuries on the train. A GOP aide speaking on condition of anonymity says no lawmakers were injured.

Cole said he believes the accident occurred south of Charlottesville, Virginia. The train was en route to the Greenbrier resort in White Sulfur Springs for a three-day issues retreat featuring appearances by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., tweeted: “The train carrying GOP members to our retreat had a collision, but Rebecca and I are both okay. Security and doctors on board are helping secure the scene and treat injuries.”

President Trump is meeting with his national security team but is aware of the accident, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Amtrak released a statement on the incident that said the train “came into contact with a vehicle that was on the tracks at 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Va. There are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members. Local law enforcement is investigating the incident and crews are inspecting equipment for damage.”

The front half of the truck was crushed in the accident. Congressman Steve Daines, R-Montana, tweeted from the train that he’s ok, but called for prayers for the drivers of the truck.

Highway and rail crossing incidents have increased in recent years. An Federal Railroad Administration report found that the increases were likely due to higher traffic volumes. According to a recent report from 2010-2014 there was an average of 2,100 incidents per year of these collisions between trains and vehicles.

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to address the retreat this evening.

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Information from The Associated Press and CBS News was used in this story.