At Least 11 Norfolk Southern Train Cars Derailed, 2 Crew Members Taken to Hospital

At least 11 cars in a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama, leading to at least two hospitalizations, officials said. (Google Maps)

At least 11 cars in a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama, leading to at least two hospitalizations, officials said.

“According to Norfolk Southern, the train crew was briefly trapped in the engine room because the engine tilted over. There were no major injuries, but RPS was called to the scene to evaluate the crew and transported two crew members as a precaution,” police in Jasper, Alabama, wrote in a statement on Saturday.

The statement added that “Jasper Fire called all personnel in to assist the crew in getting out of the train and managing the scene, along with Jasper Police. Norfolk Southern and Walker County EMA are remaining on the scene to return the track to service.”

Norfolk Southern officials told the police department that no hazardous materials were involved in the derailment.

Officials told ABC3340 that several cars went off the tracks and that heavy equipment is on the scene aiding in the cleanup efforts.

“Last night, 11 cars and the lead locomotive derailed from a train traveling through Jasper, Alabama,” Norfolk Southern said in a statement. “There are no reports of a hazmat situation or danger to the public. Our two crew members were transported to the hospital and have since been released. During the derailment, the locomotive rolled onto its side and as a result spilled some diesel fuel and engine oil. Norfolk Southern crews have responded and have been working through the night on cleanup. We'd also like to thank the first responders who quickly arrived on-scene and took care of our crew.”

It comes as five empty Norfolk Southern train cars derailed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Saturday morning. Crews were called in to clean up the wreck, officials told WTAE-TV.

Norfolk Southern senior communications manager Connor Spielmaker told the channel that all cars were upright after the derailment. No hazardous materials were involved, Spielmaker said, adding that the cars derailed near West Carson Street in the city’s Esplen neighborhood.

Train derailments have come under scrutiny in recent months following the train crash in East Palestine, Ohio, which released hazardous chemicals into the environment. After the derailment, Norfolk Southern said it burned toxic vinyl chloride, which sent a large plume of black smoke into the air that was seen for miles.

In the meantime, Norfolk Southern has been targeted with a number of lawsuits from locals, while the state of Ohio sued the train operator about a month ago in connection to the East Palestine derailment.