SANDSTONE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – At 4:51 AM, a CSX train struck a rockslide in Sandstone causing the empty coal train to derail. Preliminary information indicates that all four of the train’s locomotives and nine empty coal cars derailed.
The lead locomotive had three crew members, a conductor, an engineer and an engineer trainee onboard. The locomotive caught fire, but all three crew members are safe and being evaluated and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
An unknown quantity of diesel fuel and oil spilled from the derailed locomotives and environmental measures will be deployed in the New River for containment. There were no hazardous materials being transported by this train.
The incident posed no danger to the public. CSX said that they greatly appreciate the swift actions of the local first responders in Sandstone that rendered aid to their crew members.
“The safety of our employees and the community is our top priority as we dispatch our teams to assess the situation and develop a plan to completely restore the area,” the company said in a press release. “Our team is in close contact with local police and fire officials and we will continue to work closely with them on our recovery efforts.”
