Two adult sisters from Kansas killed in Amtrak derailment in Missouri

Two sisters among the victims in the deadly Missouri Amtrak wreck were on a trip together with their mother and one of their daughters’ for a first vacation away in many years.

Rachelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56, were both from Desoto, Kansas and became one of the four dead in the awful crash that’s injured another 150 people, including Rachelle and Kim’s mother and Kim’s daughter. Cook and Holsapple were pronounced dead at the scene of crash. 

Jim Hart, Kim’s wife, said on Facebook that the foursome was on their way to Chicago for a few days and were ‘excited’ to be on their first trip together in many years.

‘Kim and her sister Rachelle along with Tiffany headed down to the restrooms, where as they were waiting their turn the the train derailed, sliding on its side hundreds of feet trapping many and killing the two moms while sparing Tiffany,’ Hart wrote. 

‘Wardrobes were picked, bling was stashed, coolers were packed, and honey-do lists handed out to those of us who stayed behind to ‘hold down the fort’.’

‘Their mother Pauline who was still in her seat upstairs was also injured requiring hospitalization. Many more injuries occurred, with an additional passenger succumbing a day later.’ 

Hart has started a GoFundMe to ‘help cover final expenses’ that has raised $8,000 of their $15,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.

Two sisters among the victims in the deadly Missouri Amtrak wreck were on a trip together with their mother and one of their daughters' for a first vacation away in many years. Rachelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56 (pictured center), were both from Desoto, Kansas and became one of the four dead in the awful crash that's injured another 150 people, including Rachelle and Kim's mother and Kim's daughter (pictured far left and far right)

Two sisters among the victims in the deadly Missouri Amtrak wreck were on a trip together with their mother and one of their daughters’ for a first vacation away in many years. Rachelle Cook, 58, and Kim Holsapple, 56 (pictured center), were both from Desoto, Kansas and became one of the four dead in the awful crash that’s injured another 150 people, including Rachelle and Kim’s mother and Kim’s daughter (pictured far left and far right)

Kim's husband has started a GoFundMe to 'help cover final expenses' that has raised $8,000 of their $15,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon

Kim’s husband has started a GoFundMe to ‘help cover final expenses’ that has raised $8,000 of their $15,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon

A truck driver, 54-year-old Billy Barton II, of Brookfield, Missouri, also died in Monday’s collision, the Chariton County coroner said. 

A third passenger, 82-year-old Binh Pham, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Tuesday at a hospital.

Eight train cars were derailed and flipped on their side after the train’s locomotive struck the at a railroad crossing in Mendon, Missouri, while going about 90mph.

In a statement, Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed said that those hospitalized suffered ‘injuries that range from minor to serious in nature.’

Amtrak officials said there were approximately 275 passengers onboard the train, and twelve crew members. The identities of the victims have not been released.

The death toll in yesterday's deadly Missouri Amtrak wreck rose to four today, while officials confirmed approximately 150 people were hospitalized with injuries.

The death toll in yesterday’s deadly Missouri Amtrak wreck rose to four today, while officials confirmed approximately 150 people were hospitalized with injuries. 

Eight train cars flipped on their side after the train's locomotive struck a dump truck at a railroad crossing

Eight train cars flipped on their side after the train’s locomotive struck a dump truck at a railroad crossing

Amtrak officials said there were approximately 275 passengers onboard the train, and twelve crew members

Amtrak officials said there were approximately 275 passengers onboard the train, and twelve crew members

The train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago when it collided with Barton’s dump truck, which was blocking the public crossing over the tracks. 

One of the train’s locomotives was derailed and thrown sideways off of the tracks, and eight of its cars toppled over onto the ground with them. Photos from the wreck showed the dump truck completely destroyed.

State Highway Patrol Lt. Eric Brown said there was still an ‘active and ongoing investigation at the scene’ yesterday evening 

The collision occurred at the uncontrolled Porch Prairie Avenue gravel road crossing, which has no electronic warning devices or gates, officials said.

Three of the victims were passengers - two died in the wreck and the third passed later at a nearby hospital - and the fourth was the driver of the dump truck

Three of the victims were passengers – two died in the wreck and the third passed later at a nearby hospital – and the fourth was the driver of the dump truck 

In a statement, Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed said that those hospitalized suffered 'injuries that range from minor to serious in nature.'

In a statement, Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed said that those hospitalized suffered ‘injuries that range from minor to serious in nature.’

The ruined carnage of the dump truck can is seen at center with work crews gathered around it

The ruined carnage of the dump truck can is seen at center with work crews gathered around it

Several locals noted that the crossing was long known for being extremely dangerous, and said that the railroad knew about the danger but did nothing to address it. 

Mike Spencer, 64, said he had long been advocating for safety upgrades at crossings in Mendon, Missouri, where the intersection at Porche Prairie Avenue had been slated for improvements for four months before the train’s collision with the dump truck. 

‘They knew it was unsafe,’ Spencer told the Kansas City Star. ‘That was pretty much a no-brainer… I predicted this was going to happen. I was certain this was going to happen. It was just a matter of time.’ 

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. 

You can donate to the GoFundMe for Kim and Rachelle here.  

source: dailymail.co.uk