US train carrying Republicans hits truck

An train carrying Republican members of the US Congress has slammed into a garbage truck killing at least one person who was not aboard the train.

The train service Amtrak said in a statement that the collision occurred on Wednesday morning and that "there are no reported injuries to passengers or crew members".

The train was taking politicians to an annual retreat being held this year in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, just west of the Virginia state line.

Fox News reported that one person died, and that the individual had not been a passenger.

Passengers had a "few bumps and bruise," one passenger on the train told Reuters.

US Representative Carlos Curbelo told MSNBC there were minor injuries but "most people are OK".

"We're fine, but our train hit a garbage truck. Members with medical training are assisting the drivers of the truck," Representative Greg Walden wrote on Twitter.