Photo: AFP/ Jewel Samad
An Amtrak train which derailed in Philadelphia, incurring at the least seven lives, was travelling at ‘twice the speed limit’, according to the safety expert personnel.
The driver apparently had applied the emergency brakes when the train hit the speed of 106mph (170km/h) on a 50mph track, according to the statement issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). However, his efforts only resulted in lowering the velocity to 102mph, at the time of the crash. The speed was, however, recorded in the so-called ‘black box’ that has been successfully recovered from the mass wreckage.
Amtrak Train 188 was en route Washington to New York City when it derailed on Tuesday night, leaving more than 200 people receiving injuries.
Till now, only three victims have been reported to be publicly identified.
The route has been regarded as one of the oldest and busiest stretches of passenger railway lines in the nation, stretching between Philadelphia and New York. It has been temporarily closed as officials and other associated experts continue to try and establish the exact chain of events that happened. Amtrak is a nation-funded rail service, serving millions of people all through the years.
Meanwhile, President Obama stated he was “shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the derailment”. The lawmakers and other opposition leaders continue to debate the future of the nation, owing to the sudden problems.
