The accident happened when the train hit a truck that was on a level crossing near the town of Mendon on Monday afternoon.
– We can confirm that three are dead – two on board the train and one in the truck, says police spokesman Justin Dunn.
More than 40 people were injured and sent to hospital.
The police state that seven train carriages overturned. Previously, the train company had Amtrak stated that it was about eight carriages and two locomotives. At least eight helicopters were sent to the scene.
The train was on its way from Los Angeles to Chicago and had 243 passengers and a staff of 12 on board.
Mendon is located about 135 miles northeast of Kansas City.
Dunn states that an initial investigation of the accident has been initiated.
It is neither light signal nor electronic control mechanisms that mark the transition where a gravel road crosses the railway track. There are no guards there either. According to a spokesman for the local fire department, it is not uncommon for accidents to occur at this location.
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