The Lexington County Coroner's office has released the identities of the two Amtrak employees that were killed during a collision with a CSX train early Sunday morning.
The coroner's office says Michael Kempf, 54, of Savannah, GA and Michael Cella, 34, of Orange Park, FL, were the two killed in the story. Kempf was the engineer of the Amtrak train and Cella was the conductor of the train.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says it "appears that the Amtrak train was on the wrong track" that led to the deadly train crash and derailment that claimed the lives of two Amtrak employees and sent 116 more to area hospitals in Cayce, SC early Sunday morning.
Pine Ridge train incident update: @CountyLex confirms two fatalities, more than 50 injured transported to the hospital. Shelter for passengers open at Pine Ridge Middle School. Media update @SCEMD at 6:30 a.m. #alert— SCEMD (@SCEMD) February 4, 2018
Amtrak officials say a CSX freight train came into contact with Amtrak Train 91 causing the lead engine to derail, as well as some passenger cars. There were 8 crew members and approximately 139 passengers on board. Emergency responders were able to get all passengers off of the train.
Officials say the 116 passengers who were injured were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from small scratches and bumps to broken bones.
The coroner said the two passengers who killed in the collision were Amtrak employees. One was the Amtrak train engineer, 54-year-old Michael Kempf of Savannah, GA; the other person killed was the Amtrak conductor, 36-year-old Michael Cella from Orange Park, Florida.
Coroner Margaret Fisher said considering the circumstances, there should have been more causalities.
"We should have had a lot more casualties, but we didn’t," said Fisher. "Anytime you have anything that happens like that, you expect more fatalities, but God blessed us.”
The collision also resulted in two leaks of fuel from the trains. Officials estimate about 5,000 gallons spilled as a result. HAZMAT and DHEC are working to secure the leaks. There is no threat to the public, they say.
SCEMD provided an update at 6:30 a.m.:
Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff's Office transported those who were not injured to a reception site put together by the Red Cross at Pine Ridge Middle School. Emergency crews will be on hand at the site.
Lizards Thicket is providing food for the displaced passengers and Waffle House is providing coffee. Officials say there are also four buses available to take passengers from the crash to their intended destinations, given they are healthy enough to travel.
Deputies are asking everyone to delay travels near Pine Ridge Road for the next couple of hours.
Anyone with concerns can call the Amtrak Info Line at 1-800-523-9101. They are also able to provide names of those involved in the collision.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster along with other local officials provided the latest update at 10:30 a.m.
McMaster said the CSX freight train was stationary on the track when the Amtrack train that was heading south, struck the stationary freight train.
“To understand the force that’s involved between two trains, that’s about as forceful as you can get," said McMaster.
He said a thorough investigation is being conducted, but that it "appears the Amtrak was on the wrong track." He said it may have been a time factor, but that more will be confirmed as the investigation continues. For now, he asks for prayers for those affected.
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