Statement by NARP President Mathews on Amtrak Chester Derailment

For Immediate Release (#16-05)

Contact: Sean Jeans Gail

202-320-2723

This morning, south of Philadelphia in the city of Chester, PA a collision with what appears to be a piece of maintenence-of-way-equipment led to a derailment of the lead engine of Palmetto Train 89. Currently there are two known fatalities on the ground, but none aboard the train. Amtrak service is suspended between New York and Philadelphia.

"We at NARP were saddened to learn this morning of the derailment just south of Philadelphia that has claimed at least two lives and injured many more" says NARP President and CEO Jim Mathews. "As a former firefighter/medic, I can attest to how chaotic these kinds of incidents can be and to how any initial information that emerges is often incorrect or incomplete. While it is too early to know how this incident occurred, I'm sure investigators will do a thorough job to help all of us understand how this tragedy occurred and how future incidents might be prevented."

About the National Association of Railroad Passengers

NARP is the only national organization speaking for the nearly 40 million users of passenger trains and rail transit. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by more than 28,000 individual members nationwide.

###