Train derails
By Joey Berlin
Originally published 12:27 p.m., June 24, 2008
Updated 03:37 p.m., June 24, 2008
NEOSHO RAPIDS — No one was injured in a train derailment here Tuesday, and officials turned the case over to Burlington Northern Santa Fe later in the afternoon, Lyon County Emergency Management official Rick Frevert said.
Thirteen cars were derailed, about half of which were tank cars, according to Frevert and Lyon County Undersheriff Richard Old. The cause of the derailment was unknown, and Old said it probably wouldn’t be determined until Wednesday. The BNSF train was derailed at noon about a quarter-mile west of the intersection of Kansas Highway 130 and Main Street.
Authorities’ initial concern about possible leaking of hazardous materials was quickly dispelled. Frevert said haz-mat was potentially a concern with a car carrying liquefied gas, but that car stayed upright in the derailment, with no structural damage.
“And then there were two cars carrying food-quality plastic pellets you make bottles out of,” he said. “And they haven’t broke open, so it’s all still contained. And the rest of the cars appeared to be empty, as near as we can tell.”
Fire personnel and state troopers joined county sheriff’s officials in responding to the derailment, along with BNSF personnel. A little more than an hour and a half after it occurred, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Evans said county officials were already standing down, and fire units were clear.
Officials succeeded Tuesday afternoon in splitting the on-track section of the train in order to reopen K-130.
No evacuation of nearby homes was deemed necessary.
“We’re very lucky,” Frevert said. “There was cars in that train that could’ve caused some problems, but the ones that went off didn’t.”
hartford (anonymous) says...
This is the second derailment in 2 years. What needs to be done so next time no one is killed? I don't like waiting for the train as much as the next guy but maybe they (trains) need to cut back as they are coming into Neosho Rapids. Maybe it's just bad tracks, I don't know, but this area needs to be looked at further. Something is apparently wrong here.
June 25, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
They being BNSF reworked that whole area last time a train derailed. Maybe with all the rain the ground has washed out around or near enough to the rails its causing issues.
June 25, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )