2 Dead, Amtrak Suspends Northeast Corridor Service After Derailment

Amtrak service was suspended Sunday morning on the Northeast Corridor after a train hit a backhoe on the tracks south of Philadelphia, killing two people.

Service remains suspended between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware as clean up and investigation continues.

Amtrak said the incident south of Philadelphia in Chester caused the lead engine to derail.

The train, the Palmetto number 89 traveling from New York to Savannah, Georgia  was carrying 341 passengers and seven crew members. 31 people are being treated for injuries according to Amtrak. At a press conference the Chester, PA fire commissioner said two people died in the incident.

Spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said NJ Transit service is unaffected by the Amtrak suspension and is cross-honoring Amtrak tickets between Trenton and New York City.