Chuck Fleischmann
Note: This story was last updated at 1:35 p.m.
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican whose district includes Oak Ridge, said he is okay after a train collided with a large truck in Virginia while carrying Republicans to a retreat on Wednesday morning.
“I was standing up when the accident happened,” Fleischmann said on Twitter. “A little bit shaken up, and praying for all of my fellow colleagues.
“I am ok, and working with doctors that have arrived.”
An Amtrak spokesman said the train hit a vehicle on the tracks at 11:20 a.m. in Crozet, Virginia, northwest of Charlottesville, according to The New York Times. There were no immediate reports of injuries to passengers, crew members, lawmakers, or their staff, but one person reportedly died in the train crash and another was seriously injured.
I was on the train heading to the GOP Retreat when an accident occurred. I am ok, and working with doctors that have arrived.
— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) January 31, 2018
The legislators were on their way to the Greenbriar Resort Hotel in West Virginia for their annual policy retreat. The train was carrying House and Senate Republicans to the retreat, according to NBC News.
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and Ohio Representative Brad Wenstrup, both physicians, were among those helping the injured, NBC News said. Representative Roger Marshall performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Two people in the garbage truck were reported to be badly injured and taken to ambulances.
House Speaker Paul Ryan was on the train but was not injured, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was not on the train, according to media reports.
I was standing up when the accident happened. A little bit shaken up, and praying for all of my fellow colleagues.
— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) January 31, 2018
In June, Fleischmann was okay after a shooting that injured five people during a practice for an annual charity baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and two Capitol police officers were among those hit in that shooting, according to WJLA, an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C.
We’re fine, but our train hit a garbage truck. Members with medical training are assisting the drivers of the truck. pic.twitter.com/0I9jOwHTmb
— Rep. Greg Walden (@repgregwalden) January 31, 2018
.@maryaliceparks Front of the train heading to the Greenbrier pic.twitter.com/QGUxUbo8m7
— Jeff Denham (@RepJeffDenham) January 31, 2018
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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