An Amtrak passenger train derailed in rural Florida late last night, killing at least four people and injuring more than 200, including 12 seriously.
The tragedy occurred 96 kilometres north of Orlando at about 10.15 p.m. (Irish time), soon after the Washington-bound train with more than 450 passengers pulled out of the Sanford station.
Earlier reports indicated that up to six people had been killed in the incident.
Ambulances and police cars crowded a highway that runs parallel to the track, as rescue teams hurried to help the injured and move passengers trapped inside the overturned cars.
The identities of the dead have been withheld from the media until immediate relatives are notified.
"At this point, we're still in there, digging for anybody in the train cars, and we're getting these people out as fast as possible," Captain Keith Riddick, a spokesman for the Putnam County Sheriffs Department said.
The injured passengers were taken to local hospitals throughout north-central and central Florida by helicopters and ambulances.
By 2 a.m., all passengers and crew had been removed from the wreck and were receiving medical help if needed.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team of investigators to the site of the crash.
The train is popular with tourists and retirees, who spend the cold winter months in sunny Florida but usually head back north when spring arrives.
AFP