Congressman Andy Harris OK, Not In Virginia Train Crash: Report

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA — An Amtrak train carrying Republican members of Congress crashed into a trash truck Wednesday in Virginia, killing one person aboard the truck and critically injuring another, according to reports.

Republican members of Congress on the train had minor injuries.

Maryland's lone GOP representative, Congressman Andy Harris, was reportedly not aboard.

"Praying for my colleagues and all involved in the train accident on the way to West Virginia today," Harris wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

"I was not on board, but I am thankful that some of my fellow MDs are there to tend to the injured," Harris, who is a medical doctor, said.

Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas who is also a doctor, performed CPR on the train conductor and helped two people in the garbage truck who were transported to an ambulance, he wrote on Twitter.

The train crash happened west of Crozet, Virginia, about 15 miles from Charlottesville. The lawmakers were on their way to a GOP retreat, scheduled to take place at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The annual event was to last three days and feature speeches from President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

A spokesperson for Harris said he was driving to the GOP retreat, according to WBAL Radio.

The University of Virginia Health System said it had received three patients from the train crash and two additional patients were being transported to the hospital. One patient was in critical condition and the others were still being evaluated. Rep. Jason Lewis, a Republican from Minnesota, is in a concussion protocol following the crash, his staff said on Twitter.

NBC News reported that House Speaker Paul Ryan, who was on board the train, was not injured.

"Today's incident was a terrible tragedy," Ryan said in a statement on Twitter. "We are grateful for the first responders who rushed to the scene and we pray for the victims and their families. May they all be in our thoughts right now."

In a statement, Amtrak said the train came in contact with another vehicle around 11:20 a.m. "Local law enforcement is investigating the incident and crews are inspecting equipment for damage," Amtrak said in an emailed statement. "The train originated in Washington, D.C."

SEE ALSO: Virginia Amtrak Crash: Train Carrying GOP Reps Hits Truck; 1 Dead

With reporting by Patch editor Feroze Dhanoa.

Photo courtesy of Rachael Bade, used with permission.