RICHMOND, Va. -- Those who used Amtrak found themselves requesting refunds Wednesday at Henrico's Staples Mill Station after an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia Tuesday night.
Train 188 was heading to New York from Washington, DC when it apparently derailed from the tracks in the area known as Port Richmond.
The NTSB said the train was traveling in excess of 100 mph despite the their being a speed limit of 50 mph at the curve where the train wrecked.
Of the 238 passengers on board, more than 200 were injured. Seven have died including 48-year-old Jim Gaines, an employee with the Associated Press, and Justin Zemser, a student at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Train services remains suspended north of Philadelphia, which means passengers planning trips from Richmond must seek refunds and alternative routes.
"We are not completely sure, but we will probably take the bus. I am not too sure how reliable they are," said Leilani Hayes, who is visiting from New Zealand.
"I consider myself blessed having missed the wreckage," Rodella Cannon said.
While Train 188 does not travel through Virginia, Russell Yueles takes the route often when traveling the Northeast corridor.
"It is a gentle curve," Russell said.
Amtrak officials told WTVR CBS 6 News that they have called passengers in the Richmond area to alert them of the need for refunds for trips north of Philadelphia.
"You picture yourself in there and all of a sudden the car was on its side and upside down," Bill Angus said.
