Passengers call police to get off train after being stuck for 35 gruelling hours

11 January 2023 , 17:59

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The Amtrak train left hundreds of passengers stranded for 35 hours (Image: Matt Rourke/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Passengers pleaded with police to get them off their gruelling train journey after being left stuck for 35 hours.

The Amtrak train, carrying 563 passengers, set off from Washington D.C. to Florida, US, on Monday and was expected to take 17 hours.

However, the train took nearly a day longer than planned after it was diverted in South Carolina due to the derailment of a freight train.

According to Amtrak, the train was detoured off its normal route due to the derailment of a freight train on Monday evening which had stopped in Denmark, South Carolina, while waiting for crew members.

Passengers onboard were delayed by almost 20 hours as their train eventually arrived in Sanford, Florida, on Wednesday morning.

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Michael McFadden, 47, who was on the train with his wife and their seven-year-old son, set off on Monday to visit to Legoland in Florida.

The train took nearly a day longer than planned after it was diverted in South Carolina due to the derailment of a freight train (AFP via Getty Images)

However, their trip was prolonged when their 17 hour journey took over 35 hours.

He said passengers begged staff to let them exit the train but were told they could not disembark the train.

Michael told NBC: "The question that we are asking is, why did the train have to stop in the middle of nowhere — not even a small station, and have crew drive to the train?"

The dad believes the ordeal "could have been handled (better) if somebody decided that revenue was not the most important thing."

People were asked to refrain from uploading videos and pictures on social media, according to one passenger.

In addition, passengers were also reportedly calling 911 with the train conductor pleading with people onboard to stop ringing the police.

In audio footage from the train the conductor said: "For those of you that are calling the police, we are not holding you hostage.

"We are giving you all the information in which we have. We are sorry about the inconvenience."

The staff member also had to beg passengers not to open their windows and smoke while still on the train.

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Amtrak said in a statement on Tuesday night: "The train was detoured off its normal route in order to continue operating south.

"We have been providing regular updates to customers, along with meals, snack packs and beverages.

"The onboard staff is working with pet owners to provide bathroom breaks."

Liam Buckler