Amtrak derailment: Three killed in Missouri after train hits truck

At least three people have been killed and dozens more are reported injured after a passenger train derailed after hitting a truck in Missouri.

About 243 passengers were on board the Los Angeles-Chicago train when it came off the tracks at a rail crossing near the town of Mendon.

Seven cars and two locomotives were derailed in the incident, which took place at 12:42 local time (17:52 GMT).

Emergency crews from the area have been dispatched to the scene.

In a statement, Amtrak - the US national rail operator - said that the "Southwest Chief" train travelling eastward from Los Angeles struck "a truck that was obstructing a public crossing" near Mendon, a town of approximately 160 people located 84 miles (135km) from Kansas City. Twelve crew members were also on board. read more