By Kylie McGivern, 7pm Anchor / Digital Journalist - email
? A CSX train carrying propionic acid derailed Saturday into the Russell Fork River near Haysi, VA
Haysi, VA -
Update: 11:20pm:
"I've been on the scene of about 3 train derailments, and this is the worst one I've, I've seen in my 12 years," Dickenson County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Thacker said.
Thacker has seen a lot in his time as Dickenson County's EMA Coordinator, but nothing, he said, quite like this.
When asked what made Saturday's derailment the worst, he responded:
"The type of chemical that was involved, and potential for the hazard that it could have been."
Fifteen cars were derailed, but it was the danger of one that sent upwards of 30 responders rushing to the scene.
"It derailed into the dirt and buried up into the dirt, and the safety features of the car is actually what protected it from leaking out," Thacker said.
One car, carrying a chemical called proponiac acid.
"It's highly toxic, the chemical is. It's deadly to breathe, it's highly flammable, it goes to low-lying areas, septic tanks, basements, and it's, it's just a very hazardous chemical."
"Our concern was, that there's a lot of rafters and boaters on the Russell Fork, and we were concerned for their safety," Thacker said.
Concern for those on the river, quickly spread to anyone even near Russell Fork River.
"We wanted to be sure that we was ready to evacuate, but once the team reached, they decided that evacuation was not needed," Haysi Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rocky Wood said.
Fortunate the terrible accident, didn't turn tragic.
"If it had came out of the car, it would have been a tragedy for the - even as far the way down as Pikeville, Kentucky from here," Thacker said.
"It's kind of self-contained it's own leak at this time, and it's nothing in danger. At this point, we're at a minimal risk," Wood said.
"We're very lucky I would say," Thacker said.
Update 4:50pm:
Statement from CSX:
At approximately 10 am today (3-23-13), a train en route from Hamlet, North Carolina, to Russell, Kentucky, with two locomotives and 64 freight cars derailed in Haysi, Virginia. Initial reports are that 15 cars are derailed. There are no reported injuries or evacuations. One of the cars contained propionic acid, a corrosive material used in a variety of purposes, including in herbicides, preservatives for grain and woodchips, and mold inhibitors for bread. This is the only car reported to be leaking. Another car previously carried a load of sodium hydroxide. Four cars are reported to be in the Russell Fork River. CSX is working closely with state and local emergency responders and environmental officials. Crews are en route to address the hazardous materials cars and to clear the derailment. The first concern for CSX is protecting the safety of the public and the emergency responders. The cause is under investigation.
At approximately 10 am today (3-23-13),a train en route from Hamlet, North Carolina, to Russell, Kentucky, with two locomotives and 64 freight cars derailed in Haysi, Virginia. Initial reports are that 15 cars are derailed. There are no reported injuries or evacuations. One of the cars contained propionic acid, a corrosive material used in a variety of purposes, including in herbicides, preservatives for grain and woodchips, and mold inhibitors for bread. This is the only car reported to be leaking. Another car previously carried a load of sodium hydroxide. Four cars are reported to be in the Russell Fork River. CSX is working closely with state and local emergency responders and environmental officials. Crews are en route to address the hazardous materials cars and to clear the derailment. The first concern for CSX is protecting the safety of the public and the emergency responders. The cause is under investigation.