Amtrak Derailed in Niles

The Wolverine, No. 350 had just left the Niles station and was building up speed when the derailment occurred about two miles east of the station. Passengers say the train began to sway violently from side to side and carry-ons, drinks and snacks began to fly. Seven suffered serious enough injuries to be transported to area hospitals. Several others were treated at the scene for less serious injuries. The train remained upright and the cars remained in-line, but off the rails. Most of the 174 passengers climbed on board charter buses and were transported to the Transportation Center in Kalamazoo where they caught another train or found their own transportation. AMTRAK service between Kalamazoo and Chicago was disrupted for the rest of the day. They have not said how long it will take to put the train back on the tracks, repair the rails and resume service.