10 Train Cars Derail In South Whitley
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Teresa Carrano and David Slone-
The cause of the train derailment was still under investigation this morning, according to a Whitley County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center spokesperson.
He said it happened at Ind. 5 in South Whitley around 10:30 p.m.
“Just the immediate area was evacuated in case of fire. It was just precautionary. They had one chemical container they wanted to make sure was OK, but there was never any danger to anyone,” he said.
Amy Biggs, Whitley County Emergency Management director, said second-shift workers at Ag Plus were asked to leave the facility, but no citizens or residents were required to be evacuated.
Late this morning, Town Marshal Mikel VanDevender said it was suggested to residents along Broad Street that they may want to evacuate as a precaution. Of the 15 homes along the street, all but a few evacuated, VanDevender said.
A total of 10 cars were derailed. Three of them contained hazardous material, but they were secured, Biggs said. Workers today are deciding on how best to remove the material before they deal with the tankers.
The biggest road blockage was at the Line Street crossing. There are three east-west crossings in South Whitley – Line, State (Ind. 5) and Calhoun streets. The Calhoun Street crossing is now open.
Crews got there at daybreak, around 5:30 a.m. today, and they hope to have rails relaid and back open 18 to 24 hours after removing all the cars. It could be up to three days, Biggs said.
Damage was reported to the Norfolk & Southern property. Workers are taking up huge sections of the rail line.
From the time the call came in to dispatch at 10:38 p.m. Monday until about 7:30 a.m. today, there were very few ways to leave South Whitley as the Eel River bridge is under construction. Access out was limited to Ind. 14 to the west and East CR 600W to the east, according to a town resident.
Responding to the scene were the South Whitley Police Department, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Cleveland Township Fire Department and the Emergency Management Agency. Any updates will come from the EMA.[[In-content Ad]]
The cause of the train derailment was still under investigation this morning, according to a Whitley County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center spokesperson.
He said it happened at Ind. 5 in South Whitley around 10:30 p.m.
“Just the immediate area was evacuated in case of fire. It was just precautionary. They had one chemical container they wanted to make sure was OK, but there was never any danger to anyone,” he said.
Amy Biggs, Whitley County Emergency Management director, said second-shift workers at Ag Plus were asked to leave the facility, but no citizens or residents were required to be evacuated.
Late this morning, Town Marshal Mikel VanDevender said it was suggested to residents along Broad Street that they may want to evacuate as a precaution. Of the 15 homes along the street, all but a few evacuated, VanDevender said.
A total of 10 cars were derailed. Three of them contained hazardous material, but they were secured, Biggs said. Workers today are deciding on how best to remove the material before they deal with the tankers.
The biggest road blockage was at the Line Street crossing. There are three east-west crossings in South Whitley – Line, State (Ind. 5) and Calhoun streets. The Calhoun Street crossing is now open.
Crews got there at daybreak, around 5:30 a.m. today, and they hope to have rails relaid and back open 18 to 24 hours after removing all the cars. It could be up to three days, Biggs said.
Damage was reported to the Norfolk & Southern property. Workers are taking up huge sections of the rail line.
From the time the call came in to dispatch at 10:38 p.m. Monday until about 7:30 a.m. today, there were very few ways to leave South Whitley as the Eel River bridge is under construction. Access out was limited to Ind. 14 to the west and East CR 600W to the east, according to a town resident.
Responding to the scene were the South Whitley Police Department, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Cleveland Township Fire Department and the Emergency Management Agency. Any updates will come from the EMA.[[In-content Ad]]
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