MANHATTAN — At least seven people died when a New York City-bound Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia Tuesday night, according to reports.
The Northeast Regional train carrying 238 passengers and five crew members flew off the tracks north of the city about 9:30 p.m., according to Amtrak officials and reports.
Eight people were killed, The New York Times reported Thursday.
“It is an absolute disastrous mess,” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter told the Times. “I have never seen anything like this in my life.”
Sixty-five people were injured, six of them critically, according to initial estimates the newspaper reported.
Among those on board were former Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy and New York Observer editor Jillian Jorgensen, who described the crash as the "worst experience of [her] life."
Train went to right, very fast, I flew out of seat on the right side and across the car. Bounced around, landed under a dislodged chair.
— Jillian Jorgensen (@Jill_Jorgensen) May 13, 2015The quiet car had fully flipped onto its side. Total disarray inside. A lot of injuries, some seemed very serious.
— Jillian Jorgensen (@Jill_Jorgensen) May 13, 2015It was not immediately clear why the train derailed.
The federal National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team to investigate the crash, officials said.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life from Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 that derailed north of Philadelphia Tuesday evening," Amtrak officials said.
The company suspended service between New York and Philadelphia for Wednesday morning, officials said.
New Jersey Transit will honor Amtrak tickets between New York City and Trenton, officials said.
Trains will run on modified schedules between New York and Boston.
