150 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILL, CAR AND JACKKNIFED SEMI CRASH CAUSE I-275 CLOSURE IN LIVONIA, MICHIGAN.

MARCH 16, 2015

FARMINGTON, MI

A diesel fuel spill from a jackknifed semi-truck around 7:30 a.m. Monday shut down all four southbound lanes of I-275 in Livonia.

Crews were working to contain nearly 150 gallons of spilled fuel and expected to be on scene well past noon, Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Diane Cross said.

The ramp from I-96 east to I-275 south was also closed to prevent further congestion.

A vehicle was "traveling too fast" while merging onto southbound I-275 from 7 Mile Road, said State Police Lt. Mike Shaw.

"They lost control of their vehicle, struck a box semi, at which time the side saddle fuel tanks burst," Shaw said. "The truck jackknifed."

Shaw’s advice to drivers?

“Slow down on that ramp, then ease yourself onto the freeway,” Shaw told WWJ’s Vickie Thomas. “Also, you gotta give these trucks some room. They cannot stop on a dime. If you kinda miss your exit, just go on to the next one so you’re not trying to cut these guys off.”

There were no life-threatening injuries reported. Shaw said the semi-truck has been cleared from the scene, but the fuel cleanup was ongoing.

1 MINE WORKER STRUCK BY FALLING ROCK, KILLED AT SW VIRGINIA MINE OF ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES INC

MARCH 16, 2015

MCCLURE, VIRGINIA (AP)

Alpha Natural Resources Inc. says a worker at one of its affiliate mines in southwest Virginia has died after being struck by falling rock.

According to the Bristol, Virginia-based company, the incident occurred Monday morning at Deep Mine 41 near McClure. The mine is run by Paramont Coal Co.

Officials say 34-year-old David Brummitte of Pound was found around 5:10 a.m. Monday. He was pronounced dead at about 7:45 a.m. after being transported to the Dickenson Community Hospital in Clintwood.

Brummitte was a certified workplace examiner.  He had worked there for two years.

The company says preliminary information suggests that Brummitte was conducting a pre-shift exam when he was "struck by rock sloughing off the mine wall."  He must have been probing that lose rock to save his fellow co-worker’s life and instead he lost his.  RIP.

Authorities are working to secure the area in order to complete the investigation.

Alpha Chairman and CEO Kevin Crutchfield said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with David's family. Words cannot express how deeply saddened our company and community are by this tragic event."

Paramont Coal Company President Mike Clark said, "Our hearts go out to Mr. Brummitte's family and friends.  There does not appear to have been any eyewitnesses at the scene.  We are working diligently with state and federal agencies to confirm the circumstances of the accident." 

Paramont Coal Company representatives and state and federal investigators are currently securing the area to complete the accident investigation.

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources is one of the largest and most regionally diversified coal suppliers in the United States. With affiliate mining operations in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, Alpha supplies metallurgical coal to the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power to customers on five continents.  

Consistent with its Running Right process, Alpha is committed to being a leader in mine safety and an environmental steward in the communities where its affiliates operate. For more information, visit Alpha's website (www.alphanr.com).  

SOURCE Alpha Natural Resources

CHEMICAL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT GAS PLUME IN MENASHA, WI AT SCA TISSUE PLANT CAUSES EVACUATIONS OF 28 HOMES

MARCH 16, 2015

MENASHA, WISCONSIN (AP)

The all-clear has been sounded in Menasha after a chemical leak prompted an evacuation order for more than two dozen homes.

Authorities say an "organic polymer" was being unloaded at the SCA Tissue plant, 190 Tayco Street, shortly after 8 a.m. Monday when it leaked and came into contact with another chemical, sodium hypochlorite.

The chemicals are used in cleaning water from the paper-making process.

WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/1LjVXJ6) reports the two reacted, creating heat, giving off gasses and causing an explosion that blew off part of a roof of the plant where the chemicals are located.

No one was hurt.

Fire officials say homes to the south of the plant were evacuated as a gas plume filled the air. Hazardous materials crews were called in to handle the spill.

A SOUTHBOUND AMTRAK TRAIN HIT A CAR ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS AT CASSIDY STREET IN OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT BY FEMALE DRIVER TO COMMIT SUICIDE BY TRAIN

MARCH 16, 2015

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA

A southbound Amtrak train hit a car on the railroad tracks at Cassidy Street in Oceanside, according to Oceanside police.

The crash was reported at 8:12 a.m.

A woman drove the car onto the tracks after the warning lights were activated, investigators said. It took rescuers about 20 minutes to free her from the wreckage. She was conscious when she was loaded into a helicopter ambulance and flown to a hospital.  Her condition was not immediately known.

Witnesses said that the woman drove onto the tracks, reversed off the tracks and drove back onto the tracks several times. Police planned to interview the woman at the hospital later Monday.

The Amtrak train was stopped on the tracks, blocking Cassidy Street.

Passengers were being bused between the Oceanside station and the Carlsbad Village statio.

The NCTD said all northbound Amtrak 573’s Coaster stops out of San Diego were canceled. However, the northbound 777 train, departing San Diego at noon, was scheduled to make all stops.

Based on the eyewitness statements, this was an apparent attempt by the female driver to commit suicide by train.  It must be the Monday morning blues.

2 DEAD AND 2 INJURED IN SATURDAY'S TRAIN AND CAR COLLISION WERE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THEY WERE REFUGES FROM BHUTAN, NEPAL

MARCH 16, 2015

BUECHEL, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (WDRB) 

Two people are dead and two more in critical condition after a train plows into a car around 4 p.m. Saturday.

Chita Chuwan, 16, and Suk Man Rai, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene at 4:09 p.m., according to the coroner.  They were Nepal refugees enjoying their freedom in the states.  And then they became reckless and died- how come they did not hear the horns and the flashing signals?.  Too bad.  They will not do this again, for sure.

Chuwan was the front seat passenger, and Rai was the back seat passenger on the right.

Both died of multiple blunt force injuries.

“All I heard was glass breaking - the bumper flying off on the other side of the crossing,” Anthony Collman told WDRB News.

As train enthusiasts, Collman and Logan Bennett were photographing the passing train and ended up witnessing the whole crash and catching it on camera. In their video, the train can be seen coming down the tracks. The train horn and crossing signals easily heard, but for the white car and its four passengers, it wasn't enough.

“It was just very devastating, eerie kind of feeling when that took place. I've never seen anything like that or witnessed it before,” said Collman.

The car was pushed in front of the train for about half a mile according to police. Two passengers were killed and police say two others were taken to the hospital where they were listed in critical condition.

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) officials confirmed to WDRB's Toni Konz that all four passengers in the car were JCPS students.

Chuwan attended Seneca High School, and Rai attended Fern Creek High School.

The other two passengers, who suffered serious injuries, attend Waggener and Iroquois High School.

Officials say grief counselors will be available at school on Monday.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that a white Toyota that was attempting to cross the train tracks apparently disregarded the traffic control signs in the area and was struck by a Union Pacific train,” said LMPD Spokesman Dwight Mitchell.

“The car did not slow down whatsoever. I did not see any brake lights whatsoever on the car,” Collman said.

The initial impact happened at the Buechel and Crawford Avenues crossing, closing many streets along the tracks for hours. Those witnessing the car being pushed along at 43 miles per hour before coming to a stop, say they are left in shock.

“First when it happened, you're like… you kind of step back and what just happened?” said Senid Begic.

Collman says a bigger issue needs to be addressed.

“There needs to be crossing gates because of the curvature of this road. There needs to be gates put at this crossing,” said Collman.

Collman adds lights and signal horns just aren't enough.

The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating the crash.

"It's a big loss. It's really a big loss for us," said Ghana Pokhrel, a community soccer coach.

"The two young men who were already dead, one was Seneca High School and the other from Fern Creek High School, and the other two struggling in the hospital now (are) from Wagner and the other is not in school right now," said Krishna Dhakal, a Nepali translator with JCPS.

The four young men are Bhutanese refugees known for participating in the community's soccer team.

“Preliminary investigation revealed a white Toyota was attempting to cross and apparently disregarded the traffic control signs and was struck," said Dwight Mitchell.

Dhakal said gates are needed at the intersection at Crawford Lane and Buechel Avenue.

"People may be rushing or hurry for some reason, maybe for job or whatever. So without gate or something, it's difficult to find out if train is coming," said Dhakal.

"A state representative, whoever it is, needs too actually take a look at this, and take a look at this, and take a look at that crossing," said Collman.

"I would pray for those who are struggling in the hospital and would be helping the families who already lose their young men," Dhakal said.  

A spokesperson for Norfolk Southern said the company does not have control over where gates are installed, that is up to the Kentucky Department of Transportation.

Source: www.wdrb.com