SANDSTONE, W.Va. — An empty CSX coal train struck a rockslide early Wednesday in West Virginia, causing the trail to derail and injuring three people onboard, company officials said.
The incident happened just before 5 a.m. in Sandstone. Officials with CSX Transportation said all four of the train’s locomotives and nine empty cars derailed, sparking a fire.
A conductor, an engineer and an engineer trainee were onboard and injured in the crash. Company officials said they were safe after the incident and that their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
The train was not carrying any hazardous materials, though officials said diesel fuel and oil spilled and prompted the company to take measures to contain the spill.
“The safety of our employees and the community is our top priority as we dispatch our teams to assess the situation and develop a plan to completely restore the area,” CSX said. “Our team is in close contact with local police and fire officials and we will continue to work closely with them on our recovery efforts.”
The incident happened amid increased scrutiny of train safety following a series of derailments and incidents involving Norfolk Southern Railway trains. Last month, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, requiring residents to temporarily evacuate and raising environmental concerns.
The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday launched an investigation into Norfolk Southern’s culture and safety practices.
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