Rep Carlos Curbelo Aboard Train That Crashed

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Miami was aboard an Amtrak metroliner that crashed on Wednesday near Charlottesville, according to his Miami office. The train was carrying GOP members to an annual West Virginia retreat at the Greenbrier resort. The congressman's office told Patch that neither Curbelo or his wife were injured following a collision with a trash truck that essentially sliced the vehicle in two.

Read more on the crash: Amtrak Train With GOP Members Crashes In Virginia; 1 Dead

In an interview with MSNBC, Curbelo described the chaotic scene aboard the train that left Washington D.C's Union Station on Wednesday morning.

"There was a sudden impact, a loud noise and everyone was jolted. My wife was in front of me. Her cellphone went flying. It was just uncomfortable for a few minutes and as we started realizing that everyone was OK I think that people started feeling better," Curbelo said, adding that the train was mostly carrying members of Congress and their spouses.

Curbelo, who represents the 26th Congressional district spanning all of Monroe County and a portion of southwest Miami-Dade, later told MSNBC that he initially feared the train had been attacked by terrorists.

"At first we didn't know," he said. "A lot of people I think thought the worst; Maybe there had been an attack on the train but I think everyone is pretty confident about what happened."

Rep. Daniel Webster of Clermont, Florida was also aboard the train when it crashed in Albemarle County, Virginia. Webster tweeted that he was not injured.

Rep. Ted Yoho, who represents North Central Florida's 3rd Congressional district said he too was on the train but was not injured.

"The train carrying GOP members to our retreat had a collision, but Carolyn and I are both okay. Security and doctors on board are helping secure the scene and treat injuries," Yoho said on social media.

Dr. Neal Dunn of Florida's 2nd Congressional district helped treat some of the injured passengers.

"We came together and worked as a team, with dozens of members and staff pitching in to help with medical care and safety," he said on social media.

Later in the day Rep. Gus Bilirakis confirmed that he had also been on the train. Bilrakis represents Florida's 12th congressional district.

"While I am fine, some people have sustained injuries," he said on social media. "First responders are on scene and I am praying for everyone’s quick recovery."

Rep. Brian Mast of Florida's 18th Congressional district brought both of his two sons on the train. While he and his family were unharmed, Mast said the crash made him more resolute to stop the newly operational Brightline service from expanding outside South Florida. The train service expects to begin work on a connection to Orlando International Airport this year.

"Sadly, we've become all too familiar with this kind of accident in South Florida where Brightline trains have struck and killed multiple pedestrians since they began operating just a few short weeks ago," said Mast, who lost both of his legs while serving in the Army. "I've long opposed the expansion of Brightline onto the Treasure Coast, where the mix of at-grade crossings and high-speed trains creates massive safety issues. My experience today has only strengthened my resolve to prevent Brightline from creating this dangerous situation in our community."

In a statement, Amtrak said the train came in contact with another vehicle around 11:20 a.m.

President Trump said on Wednesday afternoon that he still plans to attend the West Virginia event on Thursday. "It was a pretty rough hit. That's what they all tell me," the president said. "I spoke to a few of the folks."

Ed O'Keefe, a reporter for The Washington Post, said he spoke to Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake who told him one of the passengers on the truck was killed and two others were injured. Flake and other lawmakers reportedly helped carry one of the injured passengers to an ambulance.

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.

This is a developing story. Patch will provide additional details as they become available.

Patch editor Feroze Dhanoa contributed to this report.

Photo of Rep. Carlos Curbelo courtesy of the congressman's office.