UPDATE:

In an accident of this magnitude it's never easy to get an accurate list of the killed and injured and with so many involved in the crash, family and loved ones are demanding answers

ABC News is now attributing local authorities as saying there are three confirmed fatalities as opposed to the earlier reports of 6 fatalities.  The number of injured continues to vary depending the media source from 50+ to 70+ and CNN is reporting as many as 100 injured.

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The 14-car commuter train was on its very first run from Seattle to Portland with a five-person crew and a passenger load of around 78 when it derailed before 8 a.m. Monday. Twelve cars and one engine left the tracks and spilled down both sides of a Interstate 5 overpass with train cars landing on the traffic below creating more injuries. One train car was flattened by the weight of other cars and at least one train car was left dangling precariously over the highway.

Crash investigators are searching for the cause of the derailment along tracks that were part of a new state Department of Transportation $180.7 million project  designed to move commuters quickly to Portland and back. Authorities say the maximum speed along that stretch of track is 79 mph and the train was traveling about 2 mph over that when the crash occurred but no conclusions as to the role speed may have played in the wreck have been announced.

Fox News Seattle affiliate Q13 reports a U.S. official who was briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press preliminary signs indicate the Amtrak train may have struck something before going off the tracks.

Southbound  I-5 will remain closed at least the remainder of the day authorities said.

Local blood centers were  asking for donations to help the victims and its reported that hundreds of volunteers have showed up to donate.

Amtrak set up a hotline for family to call for more information: 800-523-9101.

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