Deaths, injuries reported after Amtrak train derails in Washington state

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (KUNA) -- Authorities said fatalities and injuries occurred after an Amtrak train derailed Monday south of Seattle, Washington.
The derailment occurred near Olympia about 40 miles south of Seattle around 7:40 a.m. local time, sending at least one train car onto the Interstate 5 highway, emergency officials said. Their statements were quoted by media in Washington D.C.
After the southbound train -- which was bound for Portland, Oregon -- derailed, all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed south of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and motorists were warned to avoid the area, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
Additional details were not immediately available. (end) rm.bs