Denham on train in Virginia that collides with truck: 'From 70 to zero very quickly'

Congressman Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, was on a chartered train with other GOP lawmakers that struck a garbage truck in Virginia.

One person was killed and others on the train were injured. While there were initial reports that no lawmakers were injured, Denham said six suffered cuts, bumps and bruises..

"It was a very high-speed collision," Denham told Fox News. "There was no braking that was felt. We hit an immediate impact and went from 70 to zero very quickly."

Denham Tweeted out a photo of the front of the train showing the damage. It was shown on CBS News, CNN and used by other media outlets. The collision occurred at about 8:20 a.m. PST.

There were media reports that his wife, Sonia, and their two children were onboard with him. They were not, according to his spokesperson, Jessica McFaul.

"My prayers are with the family of the truck driver who has passed in #Amtrak #TrainCrash, as well as those who have sustained injuries. To our first responders who arrived so quickly on the scene, a huge thank you," Denham Tweeted.

"The President has been fully briefed on the situation in Virginia and is receiving regular updates," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "There are no serious injuries among members of Congress or their staff."

Among those on the train headed to a Republican retreat in West Virginia were Reps. Devin Nunes, Tulare, and David Valadao, R-Hanford and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

Denham happens to be the House chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee.

The collision occurred in the small town of Crozet, just west of Charlottesville. There had been three other crashes involving trains and vehicles in that area since 2007, the Washington Post reported.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Denham on train in Virginia that collides with truck: 'From 70 to zero very quickly'."