2015 Tennessee train derailment

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.

2015 Tennessee train derailment
Details
Date2 July 2015
LocationMaryville, Tennessee
Coordinates35.7608016°N 84.02437429999998°W / 35.7608016; -84.02437429999998
OperatorCSX Transportation
Incident typeDerailment
CauseOverheated journal (Roller bearings)[1]
Statistics
TrainsOne
Injured197[1]
Damage$272,000[1]

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. 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. Jamieson, Alastair; Walters, Shamar; Nelson, Chris. "Tennessee Train Derailment: 5,000 Residents Evacuated From Maryville". NBC News. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  3. 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. 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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