Pakistani-American killed in Philadelphia train accident identified

Abid Gilani, 55, was returning to New York from Maryland after attending his uncle's funeral

WASHINGTON: When a train carrying 262 passengers derailed in Philadelphia, USA last Tuesday, a Pakistani-American was among the eight people who were killed.

Abid Gilani, the nephew of Pakistani journalist Zahid Hussain was returning to New York after attending the funeral of an uncle, Syed Shahid Husain, in Maryland when the train derailed.

Husain was a former senior Vice President of World Bank and had also served as a Special Assistant to Zulfikar Bhutto. He had passed away last week after a prolonged illness.

When news spread of the Amtrak train's derailment, Diane Gilani reportedly rushed to Philadelphia, having failed to reach her husband.

Eight people were killed and more than 200 passengers injured when Amtrak Train 188 derailed on May 12.

Gilani, 55, was a senior vice president at the Wells Fargo Bank's hospitality finance group on the East Coast. He split his time between Washington, New York and Walnut Creek, California, where his wife lives to be close to their college-age son and daughter. He would commute there on weekends.

Joe Boardman, President and CEO of Amtrak responding to the terrible tragedy said "with truly heavy hearts we mourn those who died. Their loss leaves holes in the lives of their families and communities. On behalf of the entire Amtrak family, I offer our sincere sympathies and prayers for them and their loved ones."

"Amtrak takes full responsibility and deeply apologises for our role in this tragic event", he added even as the government launched a federal probe to determine whether there was any foul play involved.

A Wells Fargo spokesperson said the Gilanis had requested privacy.

"It is with great sadness that Wells Fargo confirms that Abid Gilani, a valued member of our commercial real estate division, has passed away. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this tragedy," the bank said in a statement.

Gilani juggled career and family life as he climbed up various corporate ladders. He first worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia from its office in San Francisco. The family eventually moved to Rockville, Maryland, where Gilani worked for the Marriott International. The Gilanis still own a home there, according to neighbors who remember them fondly as a tight-knit family.