South Georgia couple victims of Amtrak crash in Montana that killed 3

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A St. Simons couple were two of the three people killed when an Amtrak train derailed in Montana Saturday, according to the Brunswick News.

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Don and Margie Varnadoe were well-known in the Glynn County community. Don Varnadoe was a retired real estate agent. Margie Varnadoe was a teacher and administrator with the Glynn County School District.

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The couple was aboard the Empire Builder when it derailed around 4 p.m. near Joplin, a town about 20 miles from the Canadian border.

Family members said on social media that they were on a trip to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

St. Simons United Methodist Church Pastor Tom Jones told Channel 2 the Varnadoes were active in their church community and had been talking about the anniversary trip for weeks.

“We have lost two people precious to our church,” he said.

The train was carrying about 141 passengers and 16 crew members when eight of the train’s ten cars derailed.

The third victim’s name has not been released.

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Amtrak train derails in Montana, killing several people (NCD)

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