Three person have been reported dead while others were trapped as a train derailed near a highway overpass in Pierce County, Washington.

The accident happened at 07:30 local time (15:30 GMT), some 45 minutes into the journey between Portland and Seattle, BBC reported.

It was gathered that the train, on a new section of track, fell on to the I-5 highway near DuPont in Washington state.

Police says there are multiple casualties, while motorists are trapped.

There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board the train at the time of the crash.

An Amtrak train travelling from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, derailed, on Monday morning, causing multiple deaths and injuries, officials say.

Sheriff department spokesman Ed Troyer confirming the incident told reporters that there were fatalities and people still trapped on the train.

“Several cars on the highway were struck by the derailed carriages.

“Among motorists caught up in the incident there were a number of people injured but no one killed,” he said.

The police has further warned travellers to reschedule plans to go south to/past Thurston County today or look at alternate routes.

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the accident.