On Thursday morning, a train derailment occurred in the small town of East Palestine, Ohio, leaving the community in shock. At 6:51 am, the CSX train carrying several materials, including hazardous materials, left the tracks on Zion Avenue. Immediately, emergency personnel and responders were dispatched to the scene to investigate and assess the damages.
The derailment affected approximately 11 train cars, with the potential of some containing hazardous materials. However, according to a CSX spokesperson, none of the hazardous materials were leaked out. CSX officials reported that the train cars were carrying “construction and agricultural products” including lumber, scrap metal, wood chips and fertilizers.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported and no evacuations were necessary. According to East Palestine Police Chief John McQuiston, “Everyone was out of the way and it was in an industrial area and there were no evacuations.” He also reported that local police, fire, and hazmat personnel were engaging with the derailment and incident until CSX personnel arrived to assess the situation and move the train cars back onto the tracks.
The derailed train cars were left on the tracks and the investigation, done by the CSX officials, is still ongoing. Currently, the cause of the derailment is unknown.
As news of the derailment spread throughout the community, many took to TikTok to express their fears and share their thoughts. The area is no stranger to these types of incidents, considering the large amount of railroad tracks that the town is built around.
“I was terrified when I heard that a train derailed in town. I’ve recently seen rise in people posting about it on TikTok and it’s so close to home that it’s a bit frightening. We’re all worried about what happened and what could have happened,” one East Palestine resident said.
CSX is currently leading the investigation into the derailment and the video evidence shared on TikTok has been used in the investigation. In a statement to the press, CSX officials said, “We are thankful that there were no injuries and we are taking the situation very seriously. We are conducting a thorough investigation and are working with the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of the community.”
The safety of East Palestine residents is top priority and CSX personnel have been working hard to ensure that there is no interruption of service to the area. The train tracks have been cleared and are running as normal.
More information regarding the cause of the derailment is being released as the investigation ensues. As of right now, the cause is still unknown. However, CSX officials are confident that they will have the answers soon.
The town of East Palestine is grateful that the incident resulted in no injuries. Although the community was shook up by the incident, they are working to come together and provide support.
It goes to show just how important it is to be prepared for unexpected accidents, whether it’s on the roads or the railroad tracks. The East Palestine derailment serves as a prime example of the importance of remaining vigilant for any signs of an emergency.
The derailment has left the community in shock, but the townspeople are grateful for the quick response of the first responders and for the lack of casualties. Now, the wait is on for the CSX’s investigation results to determine the cause of the accident. Hopefully, the investigation will provide some closure and peace of mind to the community.
In the meantime, East Palestine continues to heal as they wait for more information on the derailment. As they do, they are thankful that this incident did not result in any serious consequences.
