Savannah Man Killed In SC Amtrak Train Crash

SAVANNAH, GA — Two Amtrak train crew members, including the engineer from Savannah, died early Sunday when the passenger train crashed into a parked CSX freight train near Columbia, South Carolina. Authorities say the crash injured more than 100 people. Amtrak Train 91 heading from New York to Miami derailed after smashing into the freight train around 2:45 a.m. near Charleston Highway and Pine Ridge Drive.

The engineer killed in the crash was identified as Michael Kempf, 46, of Savannah, Georgia, while the conductor who died is Michael Cella, 36, of Orange Park, Florida. according to the county coroner.

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.

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)