DEMING – Passengers aboard Amtrak’s westbound Southwest Chief experienced a frightening delay Tuesday after the train struck debris on the tracks and derailed near Lordsburg, prompting a large emergency response from local, state, and federal agencies.
According to Amtrak and emergency officials, several rail cars left the tracks after the train encountered an obstruction. While a number of passengers were evaluated for minor injuries, no life-threatening injuries were reported.
Emergency crews from Hidalgo County, New Mexico State Police, local fire departments, EMS personnel, and BNSF Railway responded to the scene to assist passengers and secure the area. Amtrak worked with local officials to transport passengers safely from the derailment site while railroad crews began assessing damage and planning repairs.
The Southwest Chief is Amtrak’s daily passenger route connecting Chicago and Los Angeles, with scheduled stops in New Mexico including Raton, Las Vegas, Lamy, Albuquerque, Gallup, and Lordsburg. The derailment temporarily disrupted rail traffic while investigators examined the scene.
Federal railroad officials and BNSF Railway are investigating what caused the debris to be on the tracks and whether additional safety measures may be needed. Officials have not released a timeline for when all rail operations will return to normal.
Travelers are encouraged to check with Amtrak for the latest service updates if they have trips scheduled through southern New Mexico in the coming days.
Deming News will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
