Former Walnut Creek resident killed in Philadelphia Amtrak derailment
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Federal investigators now say an Amtrak train in Pennsylvania accelerated from 70 miles an hour to more than 100 miles an hour in the 65 seconds before it derailed. One of the eight people who died in the crash has been identified as a former Walnut Creek resident. The victim, Abid Gilani, was known with his wife for their extraordinary generosity.
NTSB: Train was speeding up for 1 minute before it derailed
The couple still owns a house in Walnut Creek, hoping to come back some day. Those now in renting the home are refugees from Kosovo who moved to the U.S. They say the couple helped them with their journey.
"He always tried to help people, talk to people, listen to them, go visit them if needed," said family friend Rabit Rexhepi. "We miss him."
Amy Ayala, a former neighbor, said she found out he had died through a morning show.
"They put up a picture and said, 'Abid Gilani was killed,'" she said. "I was just shocked. I just couldn't believe it."
His kids attended North Gate High in Walnut Creek.
"Some of my friends called me yesterday and since then, it has been shock," said Dalal Metwally.
She's known the family for 15 years and is a close friend.
"They have been supportive to so many, many, many, many families regardless of their religion, race, or anything," she said. "They have helped so many families."
VIDEO: Positive train control system could have prevented Amtrak disaster
Gilani worked at the Old Scotia Capital in San Francisco until 2008. He and his family then moved back east where he worked for the hotel giant Marriott International and most recently Wells Fargo.
He and his mother, who lives in Toronto, had attended funeral services for an uncle in Virginia. Gilani was returning home to his wife.
"He was a kind family man and we have suffered a tremendous loss," she said.
This quiet community echoes that sentiment.
"It has been a loss we will never recover him for sure," said Metwally.
Click here for full coverage on the deadly derailment.
