U.S. Congressman David Young was among several republican lawmakers aboard an Amtrak train to a retreat in West Virginia, when the train collided with a garbage truck Wednesday. Young was unharmed in the accident, however a male passenger in the truck died as a result of the crash.

Young’s Communication Director Cole Staudt released a statement from the congressman to Raccoon Valley Radio. In the statement, Young said it was a pretty normal ride up until that point. He describes the point of impact. “There was a sudden, loud bang and hard jolt that knocked some people off balance who were standing, but not in a violent way where they were hurled down the aisles or where anyone popped out of their seats, it more or less shifted people in their feet or in their seats.”

Those on the train with medical/law enforcement experience, including the House Physician, gave medical attention to those affected at the scene. While they were outside the car, Young chronicles what happened inside his train car. “We who stayed on the train made sure 911 was called and we also got together and said a prayer for those hurt and for comfort. We were distraught. Worried about the victims. Asking and ensuring each other was ok and not injured.”

Fellow Congressman Steve King and Senator Joni Ernst were also aboard the train and unharmed.

Below is the full statement from Representative Young:

“Everything seemed pretty routine and normal, people were sitting in their seats and napping, reading, watching a movie, eating a snack, a pretty normal scene. Some members and staff were standing and talking about public policy, college basketball, best places to eat in their districts, their kids, etc. I was in the second to last train car and sitting on the left side of the train against the window with reading materials in my hands and the seat next to me was empty and I was taking a break from reading and engaging in conversation with those standing and I was looking out the window watching the rural scenery. Traveling thru the woods, past small towns.

 “Then there was a sudden loud bang and hard jolt that knocked some people off balance who were standing, but not in a violent way where they were hurled down the aisles or where anyone popped out of their seats, it more or less shifted people in their feet or in their seats. And we looked at one another and there were utterances of ‘that wasn’t normal’ or ‘we hit something big and solid and it wasn’t wildlife or debris’. Then there was a strong and steady braking winding us down steadily to a stop.

 “I could see debris and garbage everywhere outside, I thought it was a local dump at first and then I saw a cab of a truck with both doors open near the tracks with faint steam or smoke coming from the engine and two bodies strewn out on the ground no more than 10 feet from the truck. They were still. There was one man standing looking over them and pacing. He looked confused, concerned and helpless.  We all collectively in the train car knew what had just happened.

 “This scene was all outside the train window and not so far away from where I was sitting. We all then got a more defined sense of what happened – that our train hit a garbage truck at a rural road intersection and that people were severely injured.

 “We all then knew these people needed medical attention and we all called for the House physician and congressional members who are doctors or have a medical background to come to the back of the train from the other cars where they could exit and help provide medical attention on the scene.  About 100 meters away from the train tracks outside you could see houses in a development and people began coming down side streets to the scene to try and help. For those of us on the train, we made a conscious decision to not get off the train and crowd the scene and just ensure those doctors and those with medical backgrounds and law enforcement had quick access thru the train cars to be able to then exit the train and provide the needed emergency assistance.

 “We who stayed on the train – about 25 in the train car I was in – made sure 911 was called and we also got together and said a prayer for those hurt and for comfort.  We were distraught. Worried about the victims. Asking and ensuring each other was ok and not injured. Local ambulances and the fire department showed up to the scene. Many of us called or texted family and our offices just to let them know there was an incident but that we were ok. And we were not so much worried about ourselves. We were worried about the men on the ground by the truck.

 “The train car I was in became quiet. Some were peering out the window. Some were whispering into phones or texting or emailing. Some were still praying. I heard some crying.”