Seven of nine train cars on Amtrak train 20 bound to New York City from New Orleans went off the tracks and into the gravel with 218 people on board, the Associated Press reported.
The train cars went off track, but did not topple over, in South Carolina a little after midnight in 20 degree weather due to the storm coming in from the Southeast, the AP reported.
Out of the 207 passengers, and 11 crew members, only four sustained minor injuries and were taken to a hospital to be treated, according to the AP.
All the train cars stayed upright even though the trains went off track and authorities are investigating what caused the derailment, Amtrak said in a statement to the AP, adding the two cars had electricity and heat, leaving most passengers waiting and sitting in the dark and cold.
"Heating, lighting and other systems were quickly re-established aboard the train, with meals and other refreshments provided to the passengers," said Amtrak in a statement to the AP.
A passenger named Carrie Lambert spoke to the AP by phone from the scene and said she was at the back of the train when she felt the car start to sway and then tilt.
"The car felt like it was about to flip over ... I was holding on to my brother for dear life," Lambert told the AP. "Bags went everywhere. It was crazy. Really scary."
Amtrak arranged for buses and trains to get stranded passengers to their desired destination for Thanksgiving later this week, but most passengers had to remain on the derailed train until right before dawn, according to the AP.
About eight hours after the train derailed in South Carolina, the 200 plus passengers were taken by bus to their destinations, or were taken to Washington, D.C. to board other trains, the AP reported.
According to Amtrak, the train left New Orleans on Sunday morning and was to arrive in New York City Monday afternoon. Amtrak also said in a statement to the AP that the company was arranging for buses to leave passengers at their scheduled stops.
