LACEY, Wash. — Download the KIRO 7 News app for breaking developments on this story. See slideshow of crash here.
What to know:
- Amtrak train 501 derailed near Lacey
- 6 people on the train were killed, according to The Tacoma News Tribune
- At least 70 people were sent to St Joseph Hospital
- 20 people were sent to the Madigan Army Medical Center
- The train hit cars; people were injured on the roadway, but no motorists were killed.
- All lanes are blocked in the heavily-traveled area near Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- The train that overturned provides service from Seattle to Portland
- It's unclear what caused the derailment
- New photos show the devastation, see a photo gallery here.
Click on the video above to watch live up-to-the-minute coverage from crews on the scene and at local hospitals with the KIRO 7 News livestream. You can also watch KIRO 7 live on TV or on the KIRO 7 smart TV apps
We are providing information as we get it into the newsroom in the real-time updates below.
Real-time updates:
11: 58 a.m.
Nearly 150 units of blood donated sent from Bloodworks Northwest in response to the Amtrak derailment. Bloodwork Northwest reiterates it needs blood donations. How to donate here.
11:45 a.m.
President Trump has tweeted about the crash three times.
11:42 a.m.
NTSB is holding a news conference. A spokeswoman says the crash meets the rail disaster passenger assistance act. In 2008, the act was designed to provide assistance to the families of victims of railway accidents.
11: 15 a.m.
Do NOT take Hwy 7 to 507 into Yelm to avoid I5. 19 mile backup. Solid almost from 512.
10:59 a.m.
An official who was briefed on the investigation says preliminary signs indicate the Amtrak train may have struck something on the track before going off the track.
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.
10:45 a.m.
Bloodworks Northwest is asking for help with donations. Click here for details.
10:35 a.m.
A U.S. official confirms to the AP that six people are dead.
10:28 a.m.
Jay Inslee declares a state of emergency.
"Today's tragic incident in Pierce County is a serious and ongoing emergency. Trudi and I are holding in our hearts everyone on board, and are praying for the many injured. They are our top priority, and I know first responders are doing everything to ensure everyone has the care they need.
"Everyone should avoid traveling I-5, and WSDOT is working to open alternative routes through the area during the emergency response. This morning I spoke with my cabinet officials, and we are in touch with Amtrak who we know are working to provide as much information as possible."
10:24 a.m.
Firefighters anticipate that all Southbound I-5 lanes at Mounts Road near Lacey will be shut down the entire day. There's an 11-mile backup on the alternate route SR 507.
10:15 a.m.
Twenty patients were sent to the Madigan Army Medical Center emergency center. Nine patients are in serious but stable condition. Eleven people are fair and stable condition.
10:11 a.m.
Pierce County Sheriff says it has not reported any numbers on injuries or fatalities. At least 70 people on train were sent to St Joseph Hospital, according to CHI Franciscan Health. According to Amtrak, 78 people were on the train.
10:11 a.m.
The back-up on the alternate route is 11 miles.
10 a.m.
People can check in on Facebook whether they are safe. Click here to check-in or see your friends who check-in.
9:53 a.m.
At least 70 people on train were sent to St Joseph Hospital, according to CHI Franciscan Health. According to Amtrak, 78 people were on the train.
9:50 a.m.
KIRO 7 News reported last week on the new 14 and half stretch of track for the Amtrak Cascades. The Point Defiance bypass takes 12 daily runs by the Amtrak Cascades.
The bypass debuted on Friday. Today was the first official day of service.
9:46 a.m.
Mayor Jenny Durkan releases statement.
"This catastrophic derailment is horrific. My thoughts are with the passengers, families and those injured as well as our first responders, firefighters and police who rushed to the scene. "The City of Seattle has offered our assistance and aid to Pierce and Thurston counties, and is ready to work with Amtrak, local, state, and federal officials as they manage the response and deal with the aftermath of this tragic incident."
9:44 a.m.
Anyone with questions about friends and family on derailed train should call 901-523-9101. Family reunification center at DuPont City Hall.
Passengers with travel plans can review or change their plans by using a range of tools including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.
9:36 a.m.
78 passengers and five crew members were on-board. This is the second Amtrak derailment this year in Pierce County.
9:21 a.m.
Three people are dead after the derailment, according to The Tacoma News Tribune. All those killed were on the train.
9:15 a.m.
The investigation into the train derailment on I-5 will impact traffic for days. Fatalities and injuries reported.
9:10 a.m.
Governor Jay Inslee releases statement.
9:05 a.m.
All lanes of southbound I-5 at Mounts Road near DuPont are CLOSED for an extended period of time due to a train derailment. Please note alternate routes are inconvenient and only travel if needed. Expect heavy traffic on alternate routes.
9:01 a.m.
Derailed train hits cars on I-5. Injuries reported, but no motorists deaths. Sheriff’s office reports fatalities on train. All lanes still shut down. 3-mile backup
8:59 a.m.
Several cars were hit by the train, but no deaths related to motorists.
8:54 a.m.
An up-close photo of the trail derailment near Lacey. Sheriff’s office confirms fatalities, people trapped. 70 people were on board, according to WSDOT. There's about three-miles of backup.
8:48 a.m.
Sheriff’s office confirms fatalities, people trapped after train derailment on I-5.
8:47 a.m.
The service was supposed to be rated for a maximum speed of 79 mph for the section where it derailed in DuPont, according to passenger Chris Karnes. Karnes, who was on board the train when it derailed, said at least seven cars derailed from the tracks. The emergency doors were not functioning correctly, which forced passengers to kick out train windows to exit.
"We had just passed the city of DuPont and it seemed like we were going around a curve," Karnes said. "All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill. The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming."
"The tracks for this line were supposed to be upgraded to be able to handle higher speeds," he continued. "I'm not sure what happened at this juncture."<br/>
8:34 a.m.
The Amtrak team was heading southbound. A media briefing will be held soon. People are reported injured, but we do not know how many.
8:22 a.m.
Some injuries are reported. An airlift is on the way to the scene.
Amtrak sent the following to KIRO 7 News.
"Amtrak is aware of an incident with Train 501, Cascades service from Seattle to Portland. Emergency services are on the scene and Amtrak management is responding."
8:15 a.m.
I-5 is expected to be closed for a while.
8:09 a.m.
New photos show part of the Amtrak trail derailment. Authorties say that drivers should avoid the area.
7:58 a.m.
7:50 a.m.
The train left from Tacoma and derailed in Dupont.
7:45 a.m.
Stay with kiro7.com for updates on this breaking story.
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