An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass at an estimated 80 mph Monday south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing three people, authorities said.

Seventy-seven passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train derailed. More than 100 people were hospitalized, more than a dozen with critical or serious injuries, authorities said.

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 about 40 miles south of Seattle. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said several vehicles on Interstate 5 were struck by falling train cars and multiple motorists were injured. No fatalities of motorists were reported.

— The Associated Press

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8:45 p.m.: "At this time, we will not speculate about the cause and we encourage others not to speculate as well."

Authorities now say 80 customers were aboard the Amtrak train that derailed Monday as well as five on-duty crew members and a technician.

During an evening press conference, Washington State Patrol announced 72 people were taken to hospitals from the scene, including 10 with serious injuries, four with injuries described as moderate and nine with minor injuries. There were 19 people who weren’t hurt and have since been reunited with their families, state patrol said.

Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman, called the derailment “tragic” and said the company would be doing what it can to help passengers, workers and their families. The National Transportation Safety Board would be leading the investigation of the derailment, Magliari said. He deferred all questions about the crash to the federal agency.

“At this time, we will not speculate about the cause and we encourage others not to speculate as well,” Magliari said.

He said an assistance center has been set up at a Courtyard Marriott in Tacoma and told people with questions about friends or family who may have been on the train to call (800) 523-9101.

The City of DuPont has since declared a state of emergency, urging all residents to stay at home and avoid highway travel when possible.

— Everton Bailey Jr.

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7:40 p.m.: Positive train control not in use

Amtrak's president says positive train control — the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train — wasn't in use on the stretch of track in Washington state where a deadly derailment occurred.

Richard Anderson spoke on a conference call with reporters and said he was "deeply saddened by all that has happened today."

Authorities say there are three confirmed deaths from the Monday morning derailment south of Seattle that spilled several train cars onto a busy freeway.

More than 100 people were taken to area hospitals. Federal investigators were on the scene trying to determine a cause.

-- The Associated Press

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5:45 p.m.: Amtrak statement

Amtrak released the following statement shortly after 5:30 p.m.:

We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries due to the derailment of Amtrak Cascades Train 501 south of Tacoma this morning.



Our first concern is taking care of everyone that was on board Train 501. We have established a Passenger Reception Center to work closely with families of individuals on the train, as well as have established an Amtrak Incident Hotline. Families with questions about individuals on the train can contact 800-523-9101. We will do everything in our power to support these passengers, our employees and their families. We are committed to taking care of them and providing the highest level of assistance possible during their time of need.

There is a thorough investigation underway to determine what happened. The investigation will be conducted by NTSB, and we will cooperate fully with all authorities. At this time, we will not speculate about the cause, and we encourage others not to speculate as well.

We want to extend our sincere appreciation to Washington State Patrol, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Pierce County EMA, American Red Cross, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and all responders and medical professionals for their assistance.

More information available on the Amtrak Media Center.

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Dave Killen/Staff

4:45 p.m.: Some passengers arrive in Portland

Some passengers from derailed Amtrak train 501 arrived by bus Monday afternoon to Portland’s Union Station, where they were met by officials and Red Cross volunteers.

The train, which was Portland-bound after departing Seattle, crashed into Interstate 5 about 7:30 a.m. during an inaugural run of a new route between the cities.

After pulling into Union Station about 3:15 p.m., the passengers were shuttled from the bus to a private room.

Speaking in front of the station, Red Cross spokewoman Monique Dugaw said her organization was working to take care of the immediate needs of the eight to 10 passengers she estimated were transported by bus from DuPont, where the derailment occurred, to Portland.

“We’re talking with them,” she said, “making sure they have the next steps in place to have a hotel room or to be reunited with their family."

Dugaw described the passengers as “in shock.”

One by one, they left Union Station and boarded taxis, shuttles or cars as they were picked up by friends or family. All of the passengers on the bus declined to speak with reporters.

Officials haven’t identified the three confirmed deaths or more than 100 injured in the derailment near Olympia.

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4:28 p.m.: Death toll now at 3

Authorities say three passengers were killed and more than 100 people were taken to hospitals after Monday’s Amtrak train derailment.

Earlier reports had said as many as six were killed. Officials didn't immediately address the discrepancy.

Jay Sumerlin, West Pierce Fire and Rescue battalion chief, said during a Monday afternoon news conference that the rescue effort wasn’t easy, particularly from the train cars dangling from the tracks. He said jaw tools, air chisels and different forms of saws were used to get into some of the crushed cars. Ladders were also used to reach victims.

“It was just a difficult place to be,” he said.

Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova said investigators are expected to work through the night at the scene. Members of the National Transportation Safety Board were involved, she said.

The wreckage could affect the Tuesday morning commute, according to Bova. She asked motorists to delay travel plans through the area if possible. Officials haven't determined when the area will be cleared.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said cranes are being brought in to help remove rail cars. The Washington Department of Transportation will need to inspect the bridge before reopening southbound Interstate 5, he said.

Sumerlin described the day as shocking and surreal because crews have had mock training scenarios involving train cars dangling over a highway.

“Everybody comes in and goes, ‘That’s not going to happen.’ Well, here we are, it’s exactly what happened,” he said. “I’m glad we trained to that level, because today was one of those days.”

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4 p.m.: Audio of the emergency call

Listen to the emergency call to dispatch from railroad personnel on the train reporting that they were "on the ground."

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3:04 p.m.: OHSU surgeon talks about helping victims

On the way to a shopping trip in Seattle Monday morning, a Portland neurosurgeon helped triage victims of the Amtrak derailment. He said his youngest victim was an infant, who came away from the incident apparently unharmed. Read his story here.

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AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

3 p.m.: Urgent appeal for blood

Bloodworks Northwest issued an urgent appeal Monday for blood following the derailment of an Amtrak train in Washington state.

The agency has provided 150 units of blood to hospitals in the area to help victims in the derailment. But that’s lowered its supplies to critical levels, said spokesman John Yeager.

The agency said there’s a special need for O-type blood, AB plasma and platelets.

People can donate at the Bloodworks Northwest donation site located at 9320 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Suite 100, Vancouver, Washington 98662. The office closes at 4 p.m. on Monday. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information, go to bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.

-- Lynne Terry

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Our statement on today's Amtrak Cascades derailment. pic.twitter.com/BxORZ9cMqV — Washington State DOT (@wsdot) December 18, 2017

2:12 p.m.: Washington State Department of Transportation statement

Read a statement from the Washington State Department of Transportation above.

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Local #RedCross responders on-site at Union Station to help family members of #amtrak501 if they come for info. #trainderailment #PDX pic.twitter.com/77HCrPlxaG — Red Cross Cascades (@RedCrossCasc) December 18, 2017

2:05 p.m.: Red Cross help

The American Red Cross in Oregon and southwest Washington has mental health responders on the scene at Union Station in Portland to support families impacted by the derailment, according to a press release sent out by the organization on Monday.

The Red Cross said they have also provided water, blankets and support at the scene of the derailment in Washington.

“At this time,” read the release, “the American Red Cross has not received requests for additional blood products in response to this tragedy. As always, we stand ready to provide additional blood and blood products as needed for derailment victims.”

— Lizzy Acker

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Rachel La Corte/AP

1:50 p.m.: Deadliest train crashes in the U.S.

A U.S. official says the derailment has killed at least six people and that the death count is expected to rise.

Click here to view a list of train crashes in the past 30 years in which 5 or more people were killed.

— Lynne Palombo

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From Amtrak President and co-CEO Richard Anderson regarding train 501:

“On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, we are deeply saddened by all that has happened today. We will do everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families.” — Amtrak (@Amtrak) December 18, 2017

1:38 p.m.: Amtrak statement

Amtrak's president and co-CEO has issued a statement about the derailment.

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Elaine Thompson/AP

1:24 p.m.: Questions about loved ones on train

People who have questions about loved ones who were on the train should call 800-523-9101, Amtrak says.

Those looking to reunite with family members who were on the train should go to DuPont City Hall, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Brooke Bova. Loved ones shouldn't go to the derailment scene.

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Washington State Department of Transportation

12:41 p.m.: 13 train cars jumped track, CNN reports

CNN has obtained audio of the train operator discussing the derailment. The news outlet also reports 13 train cars jumped the track in the derailment.

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Washington State Patrol via AP

12:20 p.m.: 50 hospitalized

Hospital officials say at least two people are in critical condition and 11 others are seriously injured after a deadly train derailment outside Seattle.

Four hospitals say 50 people have been hospitalized but didn't immediately report all of their conditions. At least one person was in surgery Monday.

The Amtrak train running between Tacoma and Portland, Oregon, derailed south of Seattle as it was making its first run as part of a faster service that local authorities had warned could be dangerous.

The National Transportation Safety Board says it's sending a team, with the first members arriving Monday afternoon.

Board member Bella Dinn-Zarr told reporters in Washington, D.C., that it's too early to tell whether speed contributed to the accident.

— The Associated Press

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Washington State Patrol via AP

12:15 p.m.: Details about railroad

A press release sent out Monday from the Washington State Department of Transportation offered more details about the railroad where the derailment happened.

“The tracks, known as the Point Defiance Bypass, are owned by Sound Transit,” read the WSDOT release. “The tracks were previously owned by BNSF and were used for occasional freight and military transport.”

The recent improvements to the track were made using federal grants from the Federal Railroad Administration. According to the release, Sound Transit managed the upgrades under an agreement with WSDOT, and the Federal Railroad Administration reviewed the work throughout.

“Today was the first day of public use of the tracks,” WSDOT said, “after weeks of inspection and testing.”

WSDOT is working with many partners, including Washington State Patrol, Sound Transit, Amtrak, Pierce County, JBLM and local emergency responders “to assess the situation and render assistance.”

The Amtrak Cascades service is owned by the WSDOT in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation and the daily service is run by Amtrak in as a contractor.

— Lizzy Acker

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Elaine Thompson/AP

12:05 p.m.: 'I was shocked'

Mariko Roths, 22, of Gig Harbor, said she was heading to Seattle for work on the Sounder when she saw the train 501 depart from its new station in Tacoma on Monday morning.

“The scene this morning was fairly calm and typical, aside from the Amtrak train being at the new station,” Roths said over email on Monday. “I saw a few people on the Amtrak as I was walking, some passengers looking a bit sleepy and some employees around the dining area.”

Roths added that she saw a Seattle television station filming as the train pulled out of the station.

“I thought it was pretty exciting to see the train head out,” she said, “as I enjoy trains a lot.”

But as she pulled into the outskirts of Seattle, Roths said she read on Facebook about the derailment.

“I was shocked,” she said, “when I realized it must have been the same train I saw only 45 minutes earlier.”

Roth said she still plans to take the Sounder to work on Tuesday.

“It's kind of surreal, because I've thought about what would happen if the Sounder ever derailed while riding it,” she said. “But there's always a risk when travelling, whether it by train or bus or car, so I will be sticking to my normal routine despite this horrible tragedy.”

— Lizzy Acker

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KOMO-TV via AP

Some trains still running between Portland and Seattle

11:59 a.m.: Some Amtrak trains continue to run between Portland and Seattle, bypassing the scene of Monday's derailment.

The rail system said trains 504 and 509 had been canceled, and that no alternate transportation would be provided.

But it had not canceled other scheduled trains, including 517, 505 and 507 from Seattle to Portland and trains 518, 14, 506 and 508 from Portland to Seattle.

A new schedule had debuted Monday, along with a new route intended to shave 10 minutes off a trip between the two cities. But the first train of the day derailed along the new route, killing several passengers.

— Elliot Njus

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KOMO-TV via AP

11:47 a.m.: Good Samaritans

A man who was driving on a highway alongside a train that derailed in Washington state says he and his friend rushed to help the victims.

Daniel Konzelman says they saw train cars with the roofs ripped off or tipped upside down Monday and a few vehicles on the roadway that were damaged.

He says they climbed into train cars and found injured passengers, some who were pinned underneath the train and others who appeared to be dead.

Konzelman says that if victims could move and seemed stable, he helped them climb out of the train. If they appeared seriously hurt, he tried to offer comfort by talking to them to calm them down.

The 24-year-old says he's an Eagle Scout with first-aid and emergency response training.

— The Associated Press

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Rachel La Corte/AP

11:32 a.m.: Train speed

The train was going 81.1 mph moments before the derailment, according to transitdocs.com, a website that maps Amtrak train locations and speeds using data from the railroad's train tracker app.

The maximum speed along the stretch of track, known as Point Defiance Bypass, is 79 mph, according to information about the project posted online by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

All southbound lanes of I-5 were closed south of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and motorists were being warned to avoid the area.

The Amtrak schedule called for the train to leave Seattle around 6 a.m. and arrive in Portland about 3 1/2 hours later.

— The Associated Press

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Spoke to @GovInslee about the Amtrak derailment in neighboring Washington, and have offered resources to help. We'll be on standby! https://t.co/IAxA4j5nnY — Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) December 18, 2017

11:13 a.m.: 'We'll be on standby'

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has also weighed in on the derailment, tweeting: "We're closely monitoring the Amtrak derailment in neighboring Washington, and thinking of all those impacted and the brave first responders."

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.@GovInslee has declared a state of emergency relating to the Amtrak 501 response. — Washington State Governor’s Office (@WAStateGov) December 18, 2017

11:07 a.m.: State of emergency

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency because of the derailment.

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My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White House. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

10:51 a.m.: Trump weighs in again

President Donald Trump tweeted a second time about the derailment.

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The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

10:41 a.m.: Trump weighs in

President Donald Trump tweeted about the derailment.

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Pierce County Sheriff's Department

10:40 a.m.: At least 6 killed

A U.S. official says a train derailment outside of Seattle has killed at least six people and the death count is expected to rise.

The official who was briefed on the investigation also says preliminary signs indicate the Amtrak train may have struck something on the track before going off the track.

The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The train was making its first run on newly constructed tracks when it derailed before 8 a.m. Monday.

The official said because the tracks were new it was unlikely to be a maintenance issue.

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10:35 a.m.: Train was going 81.1 mph moments before derailment

An Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle and killed multiple people was making its first run as part of a higher speed service that local authorities had warned could be dangerous.

Transitdocs.com, a website that maps Amtrak train locations and speeds using data from the railroad's train tracker app, says Train 501 was going 81.1 mph moments before the derailment Monday.

The state Department of Transportation posted information about the $180.7 million project online that says the maximum speed along that stretch of track is 79 mph.

The new route was designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that's bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The mayor of Lakewood, Washington, a city along the route, predicted a deadly crash. But Don Anderson thought it'd involve a fast-moving train hitting a car or pedestrian at a crossing.

— The Associated Press

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Pierce County Sheriff's Department

10:24 a.m.: Route shares a portion of rails

According to the Sound Transit website, the new route shares a portion of rails with the Sounder commuter train, which services the Puget Sound area.

“The Point Defiance Bypass project includes the new Amtrak passenger train station, 14.5 miles of new and upgraded track, and five reconstructed at-grade crossings -- each with advanced warning and signal systems,” reads the Sound Transit website.

— Lizzy Acker

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Pierce County Sheriff's Department

10:20 a.m.: Just a matter of time'

Mayor of the town of Lakewood, Don Anderson, expressed concern about the safety of the new route earlier this month. KOMO News reported that the mayor of one of the towns that the Point Defiance Bypass was set to pass through felt that the Washington State Department of Transportation didn't do enough to ensure safety along the route. He believed that Amtrak and WSDOT did not do enough to separate trains from cars and pedestrians, and suggested it was "just a matter of time" before someone died as a result of the new route.

According to KOMO News, at one point Lakewood sued to block the bypass but ultimately lost that fight.

“Come back when there is that accident,” Anderson said during a meeting with transportation officials in early December, “and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens.”

— Lizzy Acker

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Pierce County Sheriff's Department

9:53 a.m.: At least 3 dead, newspaper reports

At least three passengers died in the derailment, according to the News Tribune. Reporter Stacia Glenn tweeted that 77 people were being treated and that four of them have "severe injuries."

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Individuals with questions about their friends and family on train 501 should call 800-523-9101 — Amtrak (@Amtrak) December 18, 2017

9:42 a.m.: More than 80 on board

About 78 passengers and five crew members were aboard the train, according to Amtrak.

People looking to reunite with family members should go to DuPont City Hall, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Brooke Bova.

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Danae Orlob via AP

'Not sure what got hit'

Chris Karnes was on the train Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle, three or four cars back from the front.

Karnes told The Associated Press in a brief phone interview Monday morning that he was "not sure what got hit."

He was unhurt and is now near the medical tents set up in a median area between north- and sound-bound Interstate 5, just south of DuPont, Washington.

Karnes said: "there are several cars that are hanging over the overpass," Karnes.

The train derailed before 8 a.m. Monday.

— The Associated Press

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Pierce County Sheriff's Department

9:23 a.m.: New route

Service began Monday on a new Amtrak route meant to speed up travel and enhance safety on the Cascades train that travels from Vancouver B.C. to Eugene, according to Washington Department of Transportation.

"The start of new service also includes the debut of the new Tacoma Dome Station in Freighthouse Square, part of the Tacoma-Point Defiance Bypass project," reads the WDOT website. "The additional trips make the service more convenient and accessible for all travelers and allow more options for day trips along the corridor."

The new service goes between Seattle and Portland. The train, which previously ran along the south Puget Sound between Tacoma and DuPont, now travels a more direct route spending a longer portion of the trip following the path of I-5.

According to the schedule, the train that derailed Monday appears to be the first train to take the new route.

Here's a look at the new, faster bypass route that Amtrak trains will start using later this month. Instead of following the shoreline, trains will now use tracks that cut through several cities, but travel at 79 mph #komonews pic.twitter.com/JXIdmAFjVO — Joel Moreno (@JoelMorenoKOMO) December 5, 2017

The new route, called the Point Defiance Bypass, is the final step in an $181 million project, started in 2010, to improve railway infrastructure. In November, The News Tribune reported that passenger trains on the new route were expected to travel at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour, reducing crossing times at intersections to 45 seconds.

— Lizzy Acker

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Pierce County Sheriff's Department

9:15 a.m.: Several cars hit

Several cars were hit by derailed train cars, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. Motorists have been injured, but no motorist fatalities have been reported

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#HappeningNow- Several firefighters from Pierce County and Thurston County are currently working the scene at the train derailment. Many off-duty firefighters have been called back to work. #WaFirefighters #ThereWhenYouNeedUs pic.twitter.com/23NA95e8ty — Pierce County Firefighters (@IAFF726) December 18, 2017

9:05 a.m.: Firefighters on scene

Firefighters are among the authorities at the scene of the derailment.

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Trooper Brooke Bova/Washington State Patrol

8:58 a.m.: Amtrak Cascades derailment

A Washington State Patrol photo shows a train car upside-down on the ground beneath an overpass and another train derailed.

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Trooper Brooke Bova/Washington State Patrol

8:58 a.m.: 'An ongoing and serious situation'

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee tweeted thanks to first responders.

"We're praying for everyone on board the train, and ask everyone to hold them in your thoughts," he said.

He advised commuters to stay away, referring to the derailment as "an ongoing and serious situation."

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This report will be updated.

— Staff and wire reports