Chicago-Bound Amtrak Train Derails In Kansas; 32 Taken To Hospitals

Amtrak's Southwest Chief train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed early Monday morning in Kansas, sending more than 30 passengers to the hospital. At least two people were in critical condition, and one was in surgery, KWCH reported.

The train ran off the tracks about 20 miles west of Dodge City, Kansas, Amtrak said in a post on its blog. The train was scheduled to run through Missouri on its way to Chicago.

Emergency responders took 32 passengers to local hospitals, Amtrak said in a post on its blog, and 29 of those were released later Monday.

Reports the Chicago Tribune:

Twenty-one-year-old Kelsey Wilson says she was traveling on the train to return to Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, when she was awoken early Monday. Wilson, of Pueblo, Colorado, says she hit her head as the car became disconnected and overturned about 20 miles west of Dodge City.

She says she escaped through the top of the flipped car and then slid down the side. She said she then "passed out" and was among at least 29 people taken to hospitals for treatment. She was released with a neck brace.

At the time of derailment, 131 passengers and 14 crew members were on the train, Amtrak said, adding that the remaining passengers were taken to 4-H Recreation Center in Cimarron, Kansas.