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SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was among Republican lawmakers on a train Wednesday that collided with what appeared to be dump truck while they were en route to their retreat in West Virginia.
The train hit a vehicle on the tracks in Crozet, Virginia, a town about 126 miles from Washington, D.C., according to Amtrak.
Lee was not injured in the crash.
"I'm fine, as far as I can tell," he said on KSL Newradio’s “The Doug Wright Show.” "Other people on the train are OK as well, with the exception of some bumps and a few bruises, maybe a few scrapes. I think people on the train are OK."
The train came to abrupt halt and people standing up fell to the floor, Lee said.
BREAKING: Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) tells me 3 passengers aboard the hit truck. 1 is dead. 2 injured. He and other lawmakers helped carry one of the injured truck passengers to an ambulance with local medical personnel.
— Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) January 31, 2018
"Most of us hit our knees pretty hard on the seat in front of us," he said, adding he's in a "little pain."
Lee was not allowed off the train but was able to poke his head out a door.
“It looks like there’s garbage all over the place,” he said.
No other member of the Utah delegation was aboard the train.
"I wasn't on the train in VA. Flying back home today. Praying everyone is OK!! Waiting anxiously for more news," Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, tweeted.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, travels separately in his president pro tem motorcade and was not on the train. But he was in communication with his Republican colleagues and ready to assist in any way he can, said his spokesman Matt Whitlock.
"Thank you for your concern. I was not on the train involved in the accident today. I am praying for everyone involved and watching reports closely," Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, posted on Twitter.
Rep. Rob Bishop's office also put out a quick statement.
"Congressman Bishop was not on the train and he is doing well," spokesman Lee Lonsberry said.
Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, tweeted: "I am not on the train in Virginia but many of my colleagues are. Please join me in keeping everyone (and their families) in your thoughts and prayers."
Curtis was driving to the retreat at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia when he learned about the collision. He said the meeting was scheduled to discuss items President Donald Trump outlined in his State of the Union speech Tuesday, particularly to "coalesce" around a way forward on immigration.
Lawmaker on the train to the GOP retreat passes on this picture of the garbage truck that their train hit: pic.twitter.com/sYUmmdH60Q
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 31, 2018
The congressman said it would be unfortunate but understandable if the retreat is canceled.
Trump is scheduled to travel to West Virginia on Air Force One for the retreat Thursday.
"The president has been fully briefed on the situation in Virginia and is receiving regular updates. There is one confirmed fatality and one serious injury. There are no serious injuries among members of Congress or their staff. Senior administration officials are in regular contact with Amtrak and state and local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by this incident," the White House said.
