The Saline County Coroner’s Office assisted with the fatalities in the Chariton County Amtrak derailment on Monday, June 27.

Coroner Willie Harlow says his office responded to offer a supporting role and to assist as needed.

Harlow says, “I just want to say that I saw an outpouring of love, support and compassion from the literal hundreds of people there helping, (including) law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, life flight helicopters, the Chariton County Coroner and other coroners called to assist, the volunteers helping walk people from the train to ambulances and buses, the young people handing out water, the volunteers who were transporting the injured in their personal vehicles, the nurses, doctors and healthcare providers on scene and waiting in hospitals. You just don’t find that everywhere.”

Harlow continued, “Central Missouri showed up today (Monday), and it did my heart good to see that. There weren’t any questions about your financial status, your political affiliation, your religion, your sexual orientation, your skin color, your stance on abortion…. We were all friends just trying to help friends, most of whom we never met and chances are, will never meet again. I just so wish it didn’t take tragedy to unite us. But, there are lots of folks who are going to bed super exhausted after this day, but they’re going to bed knowing they did the right thing.”