A CSX freight train carrying sulfuric acid and other hazardous materials derailed Tuesday afternoon when it hit machinery that had gotten stuck on the tracks in Newburgh, authorities say.
It appears a work vehicle with a boom got caught on the tracks on River Road, near the line between Newburgh and New Windsor, and the freight train struck it and derailed, according to Brendan Casey, commissioner of emergency services for Orange County.
UPDATED1 Dead, 2 Hurt When Train Hits Taxi at NY Crossing
The machine operator saw the train coming and was able to get out of the way. Two other people doing maintenance on the tracks suffered some minor injuries.
Top Tri-State News PhotosTop Tri-State News Photos
Neil Giardino
CSX said a locomotive was leaking fuel, but that none of the hazardous materials were spilled or leaking. The train has three locomotives and 77 freight cars in total, the company said, and was traveling from Selkirk, New York to Waycross, Georgia.Besides the sulfuric acid, it was also carrying sodium hydroxide and corn oil, as well as cardboard and glass.
3 Dead After Train, Bus Collision in Mississippi
CSX said a locomotive was leaking fuel, but that none of the hazardous materials were spilled or leaking.
The train has three locomotives and 77 freight cars in total, the company said, and was traveling from Selkirk, New York to Waycross, Georgia.
New Windsor FD (Orange) City of Newburgh FD Train derailment River Rd Photos ~ Anonymous
A post shared by Kempter's Fire Wire (Official) (@kempterfirewire) on Mar 7, 2017 at 12:44pm PST
Besides the sulfuric acid, it was also carrying sodium hydroxide and corn oil, as well as cardboard and glass.
"Right now the scene is secure, we have the roadway closed," said Casey. "CSX, Federal Railroad Agency, various state agencies are on the scene, and at this point it's really just a cleanup operation to get the train off the roadway and get the rail cars back aligned and move 'em out of the area."
Ex-Cop Charged With Attempted Murder in Brooklyn Shooting
Joni Armstrong was shaken as she recalled driving on the road before suddenly seeing the trains coming toward her.
"I looked in my rearview mirror and saw fire and a train barreling towards my car, and I had a moment of panic thinking, 'Oh, my God, it's gonna hit me,'" she said. "It jumped the tracks and came onto the road and it looked like it was heading straight for the cars."