Scene of Amtrak accident in Washington state, 18 December 2017

As it happened: Amtrak train plunges on to US highway

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Live Reporting

Ellis Palmer, Yaroslav Lukov and Alexandra Fouché

All times stated are UK

  1. Quick recap as live page is closing down

    Crash scene
    Copyright: Reuters

    We're now closing our live page following the derailment of the passenger train on its inaugural run in Washington state.

    A recovery operation is continuing, and officials are so far declining to provide any casualty numbers.

    Here's a quick recap of what we know and also latest reports in the US media:

    • more than 80 people were on board the southbound Train 501 from Seattle to Portland which was running on a new, shorter route
    • the accident on a bridge over interstate motorway I-5 happened at 07:30 local time (15:30 GMT) some 45 minutes into the journey
    • thirteen of the train's 14 carriages jumped the tracks, with some crashing onto the motorway below
    • officials say there were multiple fatalities, with the Associated Press reporting that at least six people died
    • reports say 77 people were taken to local hospitals
    • the cause of the crash is being investigated, with some reports say the train may have hit something
    • one passenger was quoted as saying that the train started to wobble a little before the crash
    • Washington governor declared a state of emergency to mobilise all resources for the recovery operation and assistance to the injured

    You can still follow all the latest updates on this story and other news on the BBC News website.

  2. 'Emergency! We are on the ground!' - audio recording

    Audio recordings from the aftermath of the crash, apparently of the train's conductor and railway dispatchers, have now emerged.

    The conductor is heard saying: "Emergency! Emergency! Emergency! We are on the ground!" Komonews.com reports.

    He then calls for emergency medical services to arrive as soon as possible.

    Broadcastify.com provided the audio recordings via ABC News.

  3. 'Priority is recovery' - latest official briefing

    At the latest media briefing, US officials said that seventy-seven passengers and seven crew members were on board the train.

    Amtrak earlier spoke of approximately 78 travellers and five crew.

    The officials declined to provide any details on the casualty numbers, saying only that the "priority right now is recovery".

  5. More images emerge from crash scene

    Rescue teams at the crash site
    Copyright: Reuters
    The locomotive and one of the derailed carriages
    Copyright: Getty Images
    Train wreckage at the crash scene
    Copyright: Reuters

  6. VIDEO: Aerial footage of the scene

    Footage shows scale of derailment

    Video content

    Video caption: Amtrak Washington train crash: Aerial footage of the scene

  7. 'I just wanted to help people because I would want people to help me'

    Daniel Konzelman, 24, was driving parallel to the train on his way to work. He was about 30 seconds ahead of the train on the mortorway when he saw it derail. He stopped, and with his friend, went to help trapped passengers.

    View more on twitter

  10. Thirteen carriages derailed

    Thirteen of the train's 14 carriages jumped the tracks, and five vehicles plus two semi-trailer trucks were involved in the accident, the Washington State Patrol said.

    View more on twitter

  12. What we know

    A train has derailed on its inaugural run in the north-western United States. Carriages left the track as it crossed a bridge, crashing on to the motorway below at the height of the morning rush hour. Unconfirmed reports speak of at least six deaths while medical officers say 77 people have been taken to hospital. The train may have struck something on the track before derailing, according to one report. It was the first train to run along a new, faster route from Seattle in Washington state to Portland, Oregon.

  13. Train 'may have hit something' before derailing - AP

    An official briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press that preliminary signs indicate that Train 501 may have struck something before going off the track.

    View more on twitter

  14. Governor: 'Suspend judgement'

    Washington Governor Jay Inslee said people should express compassion and show respect. No-one knew at this stage what had gone wrong before the crash, he said.

    View more on twitter

  15. Aerial view of crash

    Aerial image of the crash
    Copyright: BBC

  16. 'Washingtonians come together'

    Washington's secretary of state, Kim Wyman, has urged the public to donate blood to help victims of the rail crash.

    View more on twitter

  17. 'Train crumpled' - passenger's account

    Passenger Chris Karnes told MSNBC the derailment happened as the train, travelling at about 70mph (113km/h), just passed the city of DuPont.

    "At a certain point the train started to wobble a little bit and the next thing that we knew we were down in a ditch. The train had crumpled," he said.

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