Stephen King calls Republican train crash which killed one 'karma'

'Despicable'

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a train crash involving a garbage truck in Crozet, Virginia (AP)

Author Stephen King has caused outrage on Twitter after saying that a train crash involving Republican lawmakers was "karma".

The best-selling author took to social media to share his thoughts on the accident, tweeting: “A trainload of Republicans on their way to a pricey retreat hit a garbage truck. My friend Russ calls that karma.”

The crash, which occurred when a train carrying Republican members of Congress hit a truck in rural Virginia, resulted in the death of one person and left another seriously injured - and many people are outraged by King's comments.

British talk show host Piers Morgan is among those disgusted by the comment.

Morgan responded to King’s initial tweet, stating: “A man died in that crash, you despicable man,” referring to the confirmed fatality of a Virginia man who has since been identified as the passenger of the garbage truck that collided with the train.

However, King, who has been outspoken in his disapproval of the Republican party and President Trump, did not respond with remorse.


 Author Stephen King called train crash 'karma'

King responded with a follow-up tweet, writing: “Of COURSE sorry the truck driver died.”

King tweeted he was sorry the truck driver had died

King's tweet has received over 3,000 responses - with many people attacking the author for politicising the accident.

One person wrote: "There was a fatality in that wreck. But yeah, laugh it up."

Others have pointed out how damaging this type of political rhetoric can be, especially considering King's platform as a best-selling author.

King's comments have also led many to announce they will be boycotting the author's books, with others questioning why the author thought it was appropriate to call the accident "karma," considering no Republicans were among those seriously injured in the crash.

One person responded: "The ones who were killed/seriously injured were the ones in the truck and the train conductor. So karma for who?"