While the cause remained unknown early Wednesday, Philadelphia’s mayor specifically rebutted the earliest reports — that there had been a crash with a CSX freight train.
“There is no indication there was any other train involved,” Mayor Michael Nutter told CNN.
The mayor had toured the scene earlier in the evening and was otherwise reticent to say anything about what caused the crash that killed at least five people.
But when prompted by CNN in a post-midnight phone interview, Mr. Nutter said more than once that no other train was apparently involved.
CSX freight cars could be seen near the area where the Amtrak train derailed, but the company quickly denied that any of its cars were damaged or involved.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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