The 2015 Tennessee train derailment occurred on July 2, 2015. A CSX Transportation train derailed at Maryville, Tennessee. The train was carrying toxic chemicals, leading to an evacuation of over 5,000 people.
Accident
On July 2, 2015, a CSX Transportation freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed at Maryville, Tennessee. The train was traveling from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waycross, Georgia.[2] It comprised two locomotives and 57 freight cars,[3] at least two of which were carrying acrylonitrile.[2] Other railcars in the consist were carrying LPG.[4] Three of the railcars were reported to have caught fire. An evacuation of all within a 1 mile (1.6 km) radius was ordered.[5] The evacuation zone was later extended to 2 miles (3.2 km),[2] affecting over 5,000 people.[2] Those evacuated were offered accommodation at the Heritage High School, where Red Cross personnel provided assistance, or at the Foothills Mall.[6] Roads closed included U.S. Route 321.[5] Fifty-two people were injured by inhaling fumes from the chemicals on the train.[3] Twenty-five of them,[7] including seven police officers, were hospitalized at the Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville.[3][5]
CSX said it was helping residents find lodging. They also said there were at least three cars carrying the chemical, although only one was burning.[8]
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not opened an investigation into the accident, although that option remains open to them.[3]
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) lists a report from CSX stating that the cause of the accident was an overheated journal or roller bearing. It also states the number of injured as 197 and total damages as $272,000.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d CSX Transportation (n.d.). DERAILMENT on Jul 01 2015 CSX Transportation [CSX ] RR Report 000148646 (Report). FRA. RR Report 000148646.
S54101 DERAILED DUE TO JOURNAL (ROLLER BEARING) FAILURE FROM OVERHEATING. CAR CAME TO REST APPROX. 9 MILES AFTER IT DERAILED AROUND MT. TABOR. THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND RELEASED HAZMAT. UTLX 901717 LEAKED 24,500 GALLONS OF ACRYLONITRILE STABILIZED.
- ^ a b c d Jamieson, Alastair; Walters, Shamar; Nelson, Chris. "Tennessee Train Derailment: 5,000 Residents Evacuated From Maryville". NBC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Megargee, Steve; Clark, Johnny. "Smoke Subsides After Hazardous Rail Spill in Tennessee". ABC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ "Thousands Evacuated After Derailed Train Hauling Chemicals Catches Fire in Tennessee – Yahoo". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c Mosdenz, Polly (2 July 2015). "5,000 Evacuated in Tennessee After Train Derailment Releases Toxic Fumes". Newsweek. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ Walker, Jade (2 July 2015). "Train Carrying Toxic Substance Derails Near Knoxville, Tennessee; Thousands Evacuated". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ Burnside, Tina; Brumfield, Ben (July 2, 2015). "Derailed train car spews toxic fumes, many evacuated". CNN.com. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ "Updated CSX Statement/Outreach Center Established" (Press release). CSX Transportation. July 2, 2015. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2017.