Montana farm communities mobilize, help train wreck victims

A 911 call over the weekend about an Amtrak train that derailed in rural Montana near the Canadian border set off an outpouring of help from locals.

CHESTER, Mont. (AP) — A 911 call over the weekend about an Amtrak train that derailed in rural Montana near the Canadian border set off an outpouring of help from area residents, volunteer fire and medical teams and regional law enforcement. People living in tiny farming communities banded together to get stunned passengers off the train and cared for those with bumps, bruises and other minor injuries. The seriously injured passengers were taken to a small critical access hospital nearby and some were transported to larger hospitals. Three passengers died and dozens were injured when three of the train’s cars tipped onto their sides last Saturday. The cause is still under investigation.