Seven Killed After Amtrak Train Crash In Philadelphia

Seven people were pronounced dead after the Amtrak train derailment on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The train derailed when it was traveling at more than 10o miles per hour in a curve, USA Today reported. The maximum speed limit on the track was 50 miles per hour.

Of those who died in the Amtrak train derailment were an employee of the Associated Press, a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, a Wells Fargo executive, and the CEO of ApprenNet, which is an education software company. Other victims’ identities have not been publicly given. One person, Bob Gildersleeve, is still missing.

Jim Gaines worked with the Associated Press as a video software architect. AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt wrote the following about Gaines.

“[Gaines] leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and critical accomplishment, kindness and humor… He will be missed.”

Justin Zemser was a student at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was on break traveling to visit his family in New York. The Naval Academy confirmed the death of Midshipman Zemser, 20, in a statement.

“The Naval Academy is deeply saddened to report that a midshipman was named as one of the passengers who lost their life in the Amtrak train which crashed in north Philadelphia at approximately 9:30 p.m. last night.”

Rachel Jacobs was a newly hired CEO at ApprenNet. IBTimes reported that Jacobs was missing since the train crashed and her friends, family, and colleagues were searching for answers.

ApprenNet COO, Emily Foote, said the following about Jacobs.

“We called, texted and emailed her right when the crash happened, because we knew she was on the train… I went to the hospitals last night, and she wasn’t in any of them. I went to the churches and schools where people are being sheltered, and we still can’t find her.”

ApprenNet wrote about Jacobs on their Twitter account.

“Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for our CEO, Rachel Jacobs. We are still looking for Rachel and hope she will be with her family soon.”

ApprenNet co-founder Karl Okamoto said the following about Jacobs.

“At this point we have no news… As you can imagine we are all very frustrated by the lack of information.”

It was later confirmed by Jacobs family that she had, in fact, died as a result of the Amtrak crash. In a statement, Jacobs family said the following.

“This is an unthinkable tragedy. Rachel was a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, wife and friend.”

More than 200 people were also injured in the Amtrak train crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is still currently investigating the Amtrak train crash, the Inquisitr reported.

[Photo credit Mark Makela/Getty Images News]