Amtrak service resumes between DC and Philly after CSX employees hit on tracks

WASHINGTON - A fatal crash investigation on the tracks near Union Station in Washington caused all Amtrak service to be suspended between DC and Philadelphia early Wednesday. Service has since been restored, but significant delays are expected to continue for a few hours as a result.

Investigators say two CSX employees were hit on the tracks along New York Avenue late Tuesday night. The incident happened after 11 pm Tuesday night, and investigators say the two CSX employees who were struck were killed. Southbound train 175 from Boston was about three minutes from arrival at Union Station when the accident happened, and passengers reported feeling a bump before the train came to a sudden halt.

FOX 5's Melanie Alnwick reports the CSX employees were not track workers. They were crew members of an intermodal freight train from Baltimore that was on the tracks parallel to the Amtrak train when train 175 came through and struck them. The NTSB is at the scene investigating.

No trains ran between DC and Philadelphia until just before 10 am, while the investigation was underway. Police had said they were working to clear the area by 7 am, but just before 7:30 am, they tweeted that they did not expect service to resume until mid-morning. Amtrak customers were advised to check the status of their train online or via the Amtrak app.

The investigation also impacted MARC train customers who use the Camden and Penn lines. The Brunswick line is not impacted.

The service interruption is also causing delays for Amtrak passengers all along the northeast corridor.

CSX released the following statement about the incident:

"CSX is deeply saddened to report that at approximately 11:50 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, June 27, two CSX employees tragically lost their lives when they were struck by an Amtrak train on the railroad tracks near the intersection of 9th Street and New York Avenue, N.E., in Washington, DC. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our employees.

CSX management representatives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation of this tragic incident. At this time the names of the involved employees are being withheld out of respect for the privacy of their families."

Stay with FOX 5 DC for updates.