Orange Park Man Killed In SC Amtrak Train Crash

WEST COLUMBIA, SC — An Orange Park man was among two Amtrak employees who died when the passenger train crashed into a parked CSX freight train near Columbia early Sunday. The man, who was the train's conductor, has been identified as Michael Cella, 36, according to the Lexington County, S.C. coroner. The train's engineer also died in the crash. He was identified as Michael Kempf, 46, of Savannah, Georgia.

More than 100 people were hurt in the crash, officials said. Amtrak Train 91 heading from New York to Miami derailed after smashing into the freight train around 2:45 a.m.

Coroner Margaret Fisher said that Cella and Kempf sustained multiple injuries during the collision and died at the scene.

Related Story: Amtrak Train Crash: 2 Dead, Over 100 Taken To Hospitals

The Amtrak train had been traveling at just under 60 mph, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said. Investigators are trying to figure out how the Amtrak train ended up on the same stretch of track as the CSX train, he said. The CSX was on the track it was supposed to be on.

"They weren't supposed to be meeting, clearly," McMaster said. "There may be a timing factor."
There were eight crew members and an estimated 140 passengers on board. McMaster said 116 people were taken to four hospitals.

Amtrak said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to report the death of two of our employees in this morning's derailment in Cayce, South Carolina."

Amtrak says CSX "owns and controls" the Columbia subdivision where the crash happened and CSX maintains all of the tracks and signal systems. Furthermore, CSX controls the dispatching of all trains, including directing the signal systems which control the access to sidings and yards, Amtrak said.

President Donald Trump was briefed on the crash and is receiving regular updates.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by this incident," Deputy White House Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said.

Amtrak said on Twitter that it created a passenger information line at 1-800-523-9101.

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent investigators to the scene.

This story includes reporting by the Associated Press.

Caption: An injured passenger from an Amtrak train derailment in Cayce, S.C. is moved from the Pine Ridge Middle School in Columbia, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)