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Obama 'Shocked And Deeply Saddened' Over Amtrak Train Crash

Obama 'Shocked And Deeply Saddened' Over Amtrak Train Crash
Paige Lavender
By 

Senior Editor, Breaking News, HuffPost

President Barack Obama said he and first lady Michelle Obama were "shocked and deeply saddened" to learn of the Amtrak train crash that killed at least six people on Tuesday.

Amtrak Train 188 left Washington, D.C., at 7:10 p.m. en route to New York City, and derailed in Philadelphia at approximately 9:30 p.m. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) described the crash as "devastating."

In addition to the six fatalities, eight people remain in critical condition and at least 140 of the 238 passengers and five crew members were taken to the hospital after the crash.

"Along the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak is a way of life for many," Obama said in a statement Wednesday. "From Washington, DC and Philadelphia to New York City and Boston, this is a tragedy that touches us all."

Vice President Joe Biden, a noted lover of Amtrak, also commented on the train crash Wednesday, saying he and Dr. Jill Biden were "deeply saddened" by news of the derailment.

"For my entire career, I've made the trip from Wilmington to Washington and back," Biden said in a statement. "I've come to know the conductors, engineers, and other regulars -- men and women riding home to kiss their kids goodnight -- as we passed the flickering lights of each neighborhood along the way."

For more on the train derailment, go here.

Read Obama's full statement below:

Along with Americans across our country, Michelle and I were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the derailment aboard Amtrak Train 188. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those we lost last night, and to the many passengers who today begin their long road to recovery. Along the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak is a way of life for many. From Washington, DC and Philadelphia to New York City and Boston, this is a tragedy that touches us all. As we work to determine exactly what happened, I commend the fire, police and medical personnel working tirelessly and professionally to save lives. Philadelphia is known as the city of brotherly love – a city of neighborhoods and neighbors – and that spirit of loving-kindness was reaffirmed last night, as hundreds of first responders and passengers lent a hand to their fellow human beings in need.

Before You Go

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a deadly train derailment, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in Philadelphia.
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Emergency personnel work the scene of a deadly train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia. An Amtrak train headed to New York City derailed and crashed in Philadelphia.
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Emergency personnel help a passenger at the scene of a train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
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A crime scene investigator looks inside a train car after a train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
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Emergency personnel help a passenger at the scene of a train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
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Emergency personnel work the scene of a train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Emergency personnel work the scene of a deadly train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Emergency personnel work the scene of a train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Emergency personnel work the scene of a deadly train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Emergency personnel work the scene of a train wreck, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Philadelphia.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Rescue crews and investigators inspect the site of an Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia on May 13, 2015. At least five people have been killed and about 50 others injured Tuesday night when a passenger train derailed in the U.S. city of Philadelphia. The train was heading from Washington to New York when it went off the track in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Win McNamee via Getty Images
Investigators and first responders work near the wreckage of an Amtrak passenger train carrying more than 200 passengers from Washington, DC to New York that derailed late last night May 13, 2015 in north Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At least five people were killed and more than 50 others were injured in the crash.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Rescue crews and investigators inspect the site of an Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia on May 13, 2015.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Rescue crews and investigators inspect the site of an Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia on May 13, 2015.
JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images
Rescuers work around derailed carriages of an Amtrak train in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 2015.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images
Passengers injured in an Amtrak train derailment who were bused from to New York from Philadelphia, walk through Penn Station May 13, 2015 in New York.
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