- photo by Bruce Garner
Train And Truck Collide At Wauhatchie Yards; Thousands of gallons of fuel oil spilled. Diesel Fuel Spill Forces Road Closures
Thursday, July 14, 2016
A collision between a train and a truck shortly after 9 a.m. on Thursday, resulted in a train derailment at Wauhatchie Yards in Lookout Valley. Three people were injured in the incident, including the driver of the truck and the engineer and conductor on the locomotive. The train destroyed the truck. The cab was found about 50 yards away in a ditch.
Battalion Chief Lesley Morgan said the driver was pinned in the vehicle, so firefighters had to use extrication equipment to free the man from the wreckage. The driver was transported by Hamilton County EMS to a local hospital. His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. Considering the damage done to the truck, Chief Morgan said the driver is very lucky to be alive. The two men on the locomotive had lesser injuries, but were transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
The derailment of the Norfolk Southern train involved three locomotives and 10 rail cars. Chief Morgan said firefighters worked quickly with railroad employees to determine that no hazardous substances were leaking from any of the derailed cars. However, several thousand gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the ground from ruptured fuel tanks on the locomotives. Norfolk Southern is bringing in extra workers and heavy equipment to remove the derailed cars, and begin work on repairing the railroad tracks, which were badly damaged. Assistant Chief Danny Hague with Special Operations said the derailed cars were carrying non-hazardous cargo, such as plastic pellets and lumber. The train was also pulling cars carrying hazardous materials, but they were not involved in the derailment.
Due to the fuel spill, there were road closures in the area for an extended period of time.
The closures are at the surrounding intersections at Wauhatchie Pike/Cummings Road and Wauhatchie Pike/Cummings Highway.
Contrary to initial reports, the incident did not involve an 18-wheeler. The truck involved in the collision is called a "roll-off truck" that carries a large container similar in size to a dumpster. The truck is owned and operated by Clean Harbors Environmental.
The Chattanooga Police Department is investigating the cause of the accident. HEPACO and Marion Environmental are the two cleanup companies that will be assisting Norfolk Southern with the cleanup of the diesel and other materials. A representative with Norfolk Southern told the fire department that they hope to have the cleanup and repairs completed by Friday morning.