MEC&F Expert Engineers : CSX TRAIN CONDUCTOR, TRUCK DRIVER BURNED AFTER COLLISION, NAT GAS CYLINDER EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

CSX TRAIN CONDUCTOR, TRUCK DRIVER BURNED AFTER COLLISION, NAT GAS CYLINDER EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK





JUNE 23, 2015

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)

A CSX train collided with a tractor trailer near Buffalo RiverWorks and General Mills in Buffalo Tuesday morning.

One of three of the tractor trailer’s natural gas cylinders was ruptured in the crash which caused an explosion and both the truck and the train to catch fire. 

The fire was put out a short time later.   Authorities say the train was backing up when it hit the 18-wheeler.

Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield confirmed during a news conference that the train conductor suffered burns over approximately 18 percent of his body and the driver of the tractor trailer was also burned and treated at the scene. Both were taken to ECMC for treatment.

Whitfield said that there are no reports of hazardous materials at the scene. The train car that was involved in the crash was empty and the tractor trailer was transporting flour.

Flavio Torres Rodrigues told News 4’s Brittni Smallwood that he heard a loud explosion and he felt like his home shook. Another witness said he heard the explosion from his office nearby.

The accident occurred near 333 Ganson between Michigan and Ohio Streets. Michigan Ave. was blocked off in the area of the accident.

Buffalo Police are working with CSX to determine the cause of the accident.
Source: http://wivb.com