At least 2 dead and 70 injured as passenger and freight train collide in South Carolina

Train crash Lexington Sheriff picture from the scene.Lexington Sheriff

An Amtrak passenger train collided with a CSX freight train in South Carolina.
Two people are dead and 70 others are injured.
The lead engine of Amtrak train 91 derailed, as well as some passenger cars.
It is the fifth crash involving an Amtrak train in a matter of weeks.

At least two people have died and 70 others are injured after a passenger train collided with a freight rail service in South Carolina, US.

The Amtrak and CSX services crashed at 2.35 a.m. local time (7.35 a.m. GMT) near the city of Columbia. The Amtrak passenger train was travelling between New York and Miami with 139 passengers and eight crew members on board.

Local police force, the Lexington County Sheriff's Department, confirmed the fatalities were on the passenger train. It added that "all passengers are off the train."

Lexington County spokesman Harrison Cahill said the injuries ranged from scratches to broken bones. Those injured have been taken to local hospitals, while other passengers were given shelter at the Pine Ridge Middle School, where they were assisted by the Red Cross.

In a statement, Amtrak said the lead engine of train 91 derailed, as well as some passenger cars. It said people with questions about the accident should contact: 1.800.523.9101. CSX is yet to comment.

Train crash map Map shows the location of the crash.Google Maps/Business Insider

As dawn broke, the scale of the accident became clear. Maayan Schechter, a reporter for South Carolina newspaper The State Newspaper, posted this video from the scene showing a "flipped over and crushed" carriage:

It is the fifth crash involving an Amtrak train in a matter of weeks.

Just last week, a service carrying Republican Congress members, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, from Washington to a retreat in West Virginia collided with a garbage truck. The truck driver was killed.

In December, five were killed when an Amtrak train derailed and was left dangling over a major highway in Washington state.

amtrak crash washington This photo provided by Washington State Patrol shows an Amtrak train that derailed.AP via Washington State Patrol