At least six killed in US Amtrak train derailment

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (KUNA) -- At least six people were killed Monday when an Amtrak train making its inaugural run on a faster new route derailed off an overpass Monday near Tacoma, Washington, with some train cars landing on the highway below, officials said.
Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard the train, which was traveling at more than 80 miles per hour, and a curve was along part of the tracks near where the derailment occurred, officials said.
Preliminary signs indicated the train may have struck something before going off the track, one investigator said.
Pierce County Sheriff's Office officials said several vehicles on Interstate five were hit by falling train cars, and multiple motorists were injured.
However, all those killed were passengers on the train, and no motorists were reported to have been killed, law officers said. (pick up previous) rm.ibi