Amtrak Derailment Death: Puyallup Man Was Train Enthusiast

DUPONT, WA - The second victim of Monday's Amtrak train derailment has been identified by his family. James "Jim" Hamre is a retired WSDOT IT worker, according to the agency, and was vice president of the All Aboard Washington group.

Hamre, 61, of Puyallup, was seated next to Zack Willhoite, another rail enthusiast and Pierce Transit employee who also died in the derailment. The two were friends through train and transit groups, and Willhoite was also a member of the All Aboard Washington group.

"Jim was a strong proponent of passenger rail who has volunteered with All Aboard Washington and the National Association of Rail Passengers for many years," said All Aboard President Harvey Bowen in a statement. "All Aboard Washington sends our sincere condolences to Jim and Zack’s families and the families of all other victims and our wish for return to good health of those injured. All Aboard Washington remains ready to provide whatever input we can in the aftermath of this incident, and we will be recommitting ourselves to the safety and effectiveness of the Amtrak Cascades state-sponsored train service, and to all passenger train services within Washington State and the Pacific Northwest."

Amtrak train No. 501 derailed around 7:30 a.m. Monday as it crossed a trestle over I-5. Officials have confirmed that three people died and dozens more were injured.

Read about former Pierce Transit employee Zack Willhoite

Also See: Derailed Amtrak Was Going 80 MPH In A 30 MPH Zone

Caption: Hamre (center) and Willhoite (r) photographed in 2005 at Yellowstone National Park with friend Warren Yee.

Image courtesy Warren Yee