Amtrak Derailment Victims: Jim Gaines, Associated Press Staffer, First Confirmed Name As Death Toll Rises
Details continued to emerge Wednesday surrounding the fatal Amtrak Train 188 derailment in Philadelphia, including the identity of one of the victims who died. Jim Gaines, a video software architect for the Associated Press, was named as the first confirmed fatality, according to a report from the news agency. At least seven passengers in all died as a result of the derailment.
Gaines, 48, was traveling from Washington, D.C., the train’s point of origin, to his home in Plainsboro, New Jersey, before the crash occurred in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, northeast of Center City, shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday. He was employed by the AP for nearly 20 years and was recognized for his work with several prizes. The father of two’s death was confirmed by his wife, the AP reported.
Another fatal victim was a midshipman from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, according to a report from the Washington Post. The academy issued a statement lamenting the loss of one of its own but said it would not release his identity for 24 hours so it could notify his next of kin. NBC, however, identified him as Justin Zemzer.
Rachel Jacobs, the chief executive officer at an education technology company, remained missing more than 12 hours after the crash. Her colleagues at ApprenNet tweeted Wednesday morning a message of support for Jacobs and her family.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, officials had completed their search of the wreckage and indicated that the entire crash was recorded on video from the train’s engine, according to a tweet from Walt Hunter, a reporter at the Philadelphia CBS affiliate.
More than 200 people were injured in the crash, which resulted in Amtrak service between Washington and New York City being suspended on the Northeast Corridor, the busiest passenger rail line in the country. The death toll was expected to climb, officials said.
President Barack Obama issued a formal statement offering his condolences and commending law enforcement and other local officials for their heroic response to the unfolding tragedy.
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