Colorado Politics

GOP lawmakers Gardner, Coffman, Tipton uninjured after Amtrak train collides with vehicle

Colorado Republicans U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman and Scott Tipton, who were on board a train that collided with a garbage truck Wednesday while en route to a legislative retreat in West Virginia, are reporting that they weren’t injured.

After the collision, which the White House said caused one fatality and one serious injury, the Colorado lawmakers and their staff took to social media to report that they were OK and to urge prayers for those affected.

No lawmakers or aides were reported injured.

“God be with those injured and their families,” Gardner said on Twitter. He followed that with another tweet: “I am on the train and ok, but know a lot of prayers are needed now for those hurt.”

“Rep. Coffman was onboard Amtrak train that collided w/truck, he is ok,” according to a tweet from Coffman’s account. “We ask for prayers for all involved in this accident & appreciate everyone’s calls…. story is still developing. -Staff.”

Tipton tweeted: “I am on the train that crashed and was not injured. Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I am praying for those who were hurt.”

The White House is confirming one fatality and one serious injury from the incident.White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says there are no serious injuries among members of Congress or congressional staff.

Lawmakers said the fatality appeared to be someone who was on the truck. One lawmaker who was aboard the train, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said the vehicle had been ripped in half and said he saw a person wrapped in tarp and said emergency workers appeared to be “putting a body away.”

Sanders says President Donald Trump has been fully briefed on the matter and is receiving regular updates.

The train carrying the lawmakers hit a garbage truck south of Charlottesville, Virginia.Lawmakers are heading to their annual legislative retreat at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

The train is an Amtrak train, The Washington Post reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back with ColoradoPolitics.com for more.

 
Zack Wajsgrasu

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