CSX train derails 2 locomotives, 53 cars carrying coal in New Kent, spilling into wetlands
VENN
NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A CSX train derailed with two locomotives and 53 cars carrying coal in New Kent County on Saturday afternoon, spilling into wetlands. Authorities stated that there are no reported injuries.
Bryan Tucker, a spokesperson with CSX Police, said that a CSX train derailed two locomotives and 53 cars carrying coal in Providence Forge, Virginia, located near S. Mont Castle Road and Barnetts Road, at around 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Tucker added that the two derailed locomotives lost an unknown quantity of diesel fuel, and authorities deployed environmental containment measures to recover the lost diesel fuel.
"There were no injuries as a result of the incident and no hazardous materials being transported by the cars involved and no danger to the surrounding community," Tucker said.
New Kent County train derailment Photo Courtesy of: New Kent County Sheriff's Office
New Kent County train derailment Photo Courtesy of: New Kent County Sheriff's Office
CSX is coordinating closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on the response efforts, per Tucker.
Emergency personnel from different localities, including New Kent, James City and Charles City counties, were on scene and "managing the incident," the sheriff's office said on Saturday.
The train derailment has led to Amtrak cancelling multiple trains between Richmond and Newport News.
New Kent officials said CSX Police is leading the investigation into the derailment.
As of 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, Amtrak Northeast announced that multiple trains — Nos. 96, 99 and 124 — are canceled until further notice.
On Saturday, Amtrak canceled service for trains Nos. 65, 99 and 124.
The only road impacted by the derailment was Barnetts Road in Charles City County, per the sheriff's office.
"We appreciate the swift response of local first responders. Safety has been our top priority as crews worked through the night, rerailing and removing nine of the cars involved," Tucker said. "Our efforts are now focused on recovering the remaining equipment and product, repairing our infrastructure, and completely restoring the area. The cause of the incident is under investigation."
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
