Cpl. Justin Dunn, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said the Chariton County 911 Center received a 911 call of a vehicle struck by a train southwest of Mendon, Missouri.
According to Dunn, preliminary reports indicate that the Amtrak train traveling to Chicago struck a dump truck at a railroad crossing that was “uncontrolled.” An uncontrolled crossing means there were no lights or mechanized arms.
“The train had approximately eight cars including a baggage car. Seven cars have derailed. There are multiple injuries and we can confirm there are three fatalities, two on the train and one in the dump truck,” Dunn said.
Dunn said the number of injuries is unknown at this time and that the injured were transported to area hospitals.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and first responders are assisting.
MSHP Lieutenant Eric Brown said the investigation will continue through the evening hours and into tomorrow, and that the NTSB is aware of the situation.
