2015 Tennessee train derailment

2015 Tennessee train derailment
Date 2 July 2015
Location Maryville, Tennessee
Coordinates 35°45′39″N 84°01′28″W / 35.7608016°N 84.02437429999998°W / 35.7608016; -84.02437429999998
Operator CSX Transportation
Type of incident Derailment
Cause Overheated journal (Roller bearings)[1]
Statistics
Trains One
Injuries 197[1]
Damage $272,000[1]

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 Highway 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 has not opened an investigation into the accident, although that option remains open to them.[3]

The 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jamieson, Alastair; Walters, Shamar; Nelson, Chris. "Tennessee Train Derailment: 5,000 Residents Evacuated From Maryville". NBC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Megargee, Steve; Clark, Johnny. "Smoke Subsides After Hazardous Rail Spill in Tennessee". ABC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Thousands Evacuated After Derailed Train Hauling Chemicals Catches Fire in Tennessee – Yahoo". Good Morning America. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Mosdenz, Polly. "5,000 Evacuated in Tennessee After Train Derailment Releases Toxic Fumes". Newsweek. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  6. ↑ Walker, Jade. "Train Carrying Toxic Substance Derails Near Knoxville, Tennessee; Thousands Evacuated". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  7. ↑ Burnside, Tina; Brumfield, Ben (July 2, 2015). "Derailed train car spews toxic fumes, many evacuated". CNN.com. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  8. ↑ "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.
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