Norfolk Southern Train Derails

A Norfolk Southern freight train carrying sulfuric acid derailed early Sunday morning in Gilbert, S.C., the WLTX Web site reported Nov. 23.

Officials encouraged residents of the area to evacuate although no leaks were yet detected in the tank car carrying the hazardous material.

The NS train left the tracks near Isiah Hall Road and Hayes Crossing Road at approximately 5:10 a.m. Sunday, the news site reported. Of the two locomotives and ten cars, eight cars derailed, and six rolled on their side, including one tanker full of sulfuric acid.

Thom Berry, a spokesperson for the State Department of Health and Environmental Control said the tank car was double-walled and though it had some creases on the outside, so far it has not leaked, said the news site. Berry contacted News19 after midnight on Monday morning to say the tank car, still not leaking, is back on the track and will be moved to the NS rail yard soon.

Emergency personnel took precautions to prevent the tanker from rupturing and causing a potential catastrophic situation, said Berry.

Railroad officials told the Web site the freight line might not be reopened until some time Monday.

Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.