WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after Amtrak Train 188 derailed last night in Philadelphia, shortly after stopping in Wilmington, Del.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of the passengers and Amtrak employees who were aboard the train last night, as well as their families. We also owe a great debt of gratitude to the first responders and health professionals who worked through the night to save additional lives. There is still much we do not know about last night’s tragic accident, and I expect a thorough investigation from National Transportation Safety Board, Amtrak, and all relevant agencies into the cause of the derailment.
“As someone who rides Amtrak between Wilmington and Washington almost every day, I know how critical Amtrak is to families, businesses, and communities in Delaware and throughout the Northeast. As a member of the Senate, last night’s tragedy is yet another stark reminder of why we must act now to invest in our transportation infrastructure, including Amtrak. I’ll continue working to ensure Amtrak and passenger rail services throughout the country have the federal resources and policies they need to operate safely and efficiently. ”