Posted on 05/13/2015 3:48:50 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Wells Fargo has confirmed that one of their executives has been confirmed as one of the seven people who died in an Amtrak train derailment on Tuesday night.
The VP has been identified as Abid Gilani.
"It is with great sadness that Wells Fargo confirms that Abid Gilani, a valued member of our Commercial Real Estate division, has passed away. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragedy." the company said in a statement.
A U.S. Naval Academy midshipman and an Associated Press staffer are also among those who are confirmed dead.
ABC News said the victim's mother has identified the midshipman as 20-year-old Justin Zemser of Rockaway Beach, New York.
"He was a loving son, nephew and cousin who was very community minded. This tragedy has shocked us all in the worse way and we wish to spend this time grieving with our close family and friends" said Susan Zemser, mother.
In a statement Wednesday morning, the school said the midshipman was on leave and on the way home when the train derailed.
The school in Annapolis, Maryland, notified the brigade of midshipmen, staff and faculty on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press said staffer Jim Gaines, a 48-year-old father of two, was also among the victims.
His wife, Jacqueline, confirmed his death.
The AP said Gaines had attended meetings in Washington and was returning home to Plainsboro, New Jersey.
Gaines joined the AP in 1998 and was a key factor in nearly all of the news agency's video initiatives, the AP said, including a service providing live video to hundreds of clients worldwide.
He is also survived by a 16-year-old son, Oliver, and an 11-year-old daughter, Anushka.
Missing loved ones
While seven have been confirmed dead, and dozens more injured - there are still a number of people still unaccounted for - including Rachel Jacobs.
Jacobs is the CEO of ApprenNET - a company is based in Philadelphia that operates from the University City Science Center.
Co-workers say she lives in New York and left work early Tuesday night to catch the train.
"We had a work meeting and she left at 8:46 to get on at 9:00 and she texted her husband to say that she had got on the train," said Emily Foote, AppreNET.
A family resource center has been set up at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Marriott Hotel.
Anyone searching for their missing loved one is urged to call 1-800-523-9101.
Stories of survival
Meanwhile, in the midst of this tragedy are also stories of survival including former Pennsylvania congressman Patrick Murphy who was on board the train.
He was on his way home from a business trip to Washington D.C.
Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, says he never experienced anything quite like that.
"Next thing you know, the car geared to the left at first and finally over to the right. I'm 6'1" and about 200 pounds but I was thrown like a rag-doll like everyone else," said Murphy.
Murphy suffered a few bumps and bruises but says he feels fine.
We also spoke with a passenger Jeff Cutler who lives in Brooklyn but grew up in West Oak Lane.
He took a hit to the head and leg as his train car tumbled but all things considered, Cutler says he is a grateful man.
"It was enough of a concern that they wanted to x-ray it. I'm mobile and I can walk - a slight limp - but there is no break. I'm luck I'm standing here," said Cutler.
Other stories are not pretty. They had looters taking cell phones, laptops, purses, and other items from the wreckage. [Witness statement from a very close friend who was injured.]
Very sad. The Midshipman was an only child, the missing young woman had a two-year-old child.
We should all contemplate our own mortality.
TWA Flight 800 all over again
More details on those who lost their lives. Prayers for their families
I do hope they locate that missing woman and find her safe and sound.
So do I, but it seems unlikely. Maybe she’s injured, separated from her ID, and unable to contact her family.
From the article, a speed governor was due to be installed shortly and it would have prevented this tragedy (or multiple manslaughter if you wish). The engineer has a lot on his head.
The first class section is usually the first car, followed by the cafe car. Does anyone know what the seating was on this train?
Considering the behavior of Wells Fargo during the mortgage crises, no big loss. But very sad to lose a serviceman.
‘Other stories are not pretty. They had looters taking cell phones, laptops, purses, and other items from the wreckage. [Witness statement from a very close friend who was injured.]’
Eric Holder’s people in action.
Matthew 24:
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Really? You known nothing about this person but smear him because he worked at Wells Fargo? I’m sure he had family that would disagree with your heartless assessment.
“Really? You known nothing about this person but smear him because he worked at Wells Fargo? I’m sure he had family that would disagree with your heartless assessment.”
All I know is that my kids now have TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS of debt on their shoulders because of people like him. I could care less about his family.
Seriously?
Surprisingly, you are correct, at least on the looters I heard about.
So you beleive not in judging the individual, but in group guilt by association. You dismiss this man's death knowing nothing about him. Guilt by association has been used in the past to justify the deaths of millions.
Yep, I have a TON OF RESPECT for servicemen. Not much respect for people that bankrupt this country.
Same for Arthur Anderson...yes, many Nazis were great family men, but I still believe in guilt by association for them also.
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