csx corp. train derailment

January 16, 2007: Just before 9 a.m a train derailed in rural Kentucky, spilling thousands of gallons of chemicals, causing an explosion and sending a thick cloud of black smoke into the air.

What you should know:

At approximately 8:45 a.m., on January 16, a dozen CSX Corp. tanker cars carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the rural area of Shepardsville, just south of Louisville, Kentucky. Thousands of gallons of chemicals were released from the derailed cars, igniting a massive chemical fire that sent a huge black column of smoke high into the sky. Among the chemicals released were cyclohexane, methyl ethyl ketone, butadiene and alcohol. The fire and smoke forced the evacuation of nearby homes, businesses and a school. Officials reported 11 people were hospitalized for symptoms related to the fire and an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 65 was closed for approximately 11 hours.

Investigators will not be able to determine the cause of the train derailment for weeks, but information downloaded from the event recorder on the train is being sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for review. According to NTSB chairman, Mark Rosenker, “We have not found any anomalies in operations at this point . . . so it seems that we need to be focusing more of our efforts on examining equipment and track.”

Last year, CSX Corp. was the focus of another train derailment investigation. In January 2006, a worn switch was the likely cause of a Virginia Railway Express commuter train derailment. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the derailment and found that CSX Corp. delayed replacing the switch. The derailment injured seven passengers and two crew members.

What can I do?

Many individuals may experience physical injury, property damage or devaluation, and other damages as a result of the train derailment and chemical explosion. If you were one of the many affected by the CSX train derailment, give us a call, we would like to help.

For more information, contact attorney Barry Reed at 1.800.493.2827 or click here to send an email.