Amtrak death toll rises, first lawsuit filed

All 243 people aboard the train, which derailed late Tuesday have now been accounted for, officials said late on Thursday.

Amtrak Train 188, which was traveling from Washington DC to New York, crashed as it entered a curve while moving at just over 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour. According to investigators, that was double the 50 mph speed limit allowed in that section of track.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Robert Sumwalt said that it was unclear whether the speed was increased manually by the engineer.

The train's driver was identified by US media as 32-year-old Brandon Bostian. According to the NTSB Twitter feed, he has agreed to be interviewed by the agency.

Bostian's attorney Robert Goggin told ABC News on Wednesday night that Bostian had no explanation for the crash nor had he any recollection of it. According to ABC, Goggin said that Bostian has provided a blood sample, turned over his cell phone and is cooperating with authorities.

President Barack Obama offered his condolences to victims, and said he was committed to a thorough probe of the accident.

"I offer my prayers for those who grieve, a speedy recovery for the many who were injured as they work to recover," he said.

First lawsuit filed

An Amtrak dispatcher who was injured in the derailment in Philadelphia has filed what is apparently the first lawsuit stemming from the accident.

Bob Myers, an attorney, said that Philadelphia resident Bruce Phillips was still being treated at a hospital for a concussion, brain trauma and spinal injuries from Tuesday's crash.

Myers said Phillips was in the last of the train's seven cars on his way to work at a New York City dispatch center.

av/msh (AP, Reuters, AFP)