Passengers Identified in Philly Amtrak Crash

The passengers of this month’s Amtrak crash in Northern Philadelphia have been identified.

The Amtrak Train 188 was travelling from Washington D.C. to New York, when it derailed in Northern Philadelphia around 9 p.m. The crash killed eight of the passengers and injured about 200 passengers and crew members.
The first amongst the eight deceased passengers, United States Naval Academy Midshipman 3rd Class Justin Zemser, 20, of Rockaway Beach, New York, was on leave and on his way back home, when he was killed in the Amtrak crash. Midshipman Justin Zemser was a beloved member of the U.S Naval Academy community. Navy Secretary, Ray Mabus, said Zemser was a “crucial member” of the institution. Zemser served as vice president of the Jewish Midshipmen Club, and played wide receiver on the academy’s sprint football team. A United States Naval Academy spokeswoman, Jennifer Erickson said in a statement, “The Naval Academy is deeply saddened to report that a midshipman was named as one of the passengers who lost their life in the Amtrak train.
“The midshipman [Zemser] was on leave and en route to their home of record when the accident occurred. The Naval Academy is supporting the midshipman’s family, friends and loved ones during this time of grief. Grief counseling services and support are available to midshipmen, faculty and staff through chains of command, our chaplains and the Midshipmen Development Center.”

The second victim identified was an Elkridge, Maryland businessman, Bob Gildersleeve, 45, is the vice president of corporate accounts at Ecolab. He was on his way to New York to attend a business meeting. The third victim in the Amtrak track was identified as Jim Gaines, 48 year-old, father of two, video software architect. Gaines had been attending meetings in Washington D.C., and was returning home to Plainsboro, New Jersey, when the train derailed. His death was confirmed by his wife, Jacqueline. The fourth victim was identified as Abid Gilani, a senior vice president in Wells Fargo’s commercial real estate division in New York. The fifth victim was a New York woman who was the head of a Philadelphia educational software startup. Her name was not released, however her death has been confirmed by her family members, as one of seven people killed in the derailment of an Amtrak train.

The sixth passenger killed in the Philadelphia Amtrak derailment crash has been identified as Rachel Jacobs, 39-year-old, mother of two, and ApprenNet CEO that had been traveling home to New York. The seventh passenger killed in the crash was identified as Derrick Griffith, 42 year-old, Dean of student affairs and enrollment management at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. Lastly, the eighth passenger killed in the crash was identified as Laura Finamore, 47, had been returning to New York from a memorial service for a college friend’s mother. The Italian government has confirmed that one of its citizens, businessman Giuseppe Piras, also died in the Amtrak crash. More than 200 people have been injured. Amtrak released a statement saying there were approximately 238 passengers and five crew members on board the train. Forty-three people remained hospitalized Thursday, according to the mayor. Temple University Hospital said it had eight patients in critical condition, all of whom were expected to pull through.

Source:
https://www.wbaltv.com/news/several-hurt-in-train-accident-outside-philadelphia/32989248