CLEVELAND, July 12 — The BLET National Division has dispatched members of its Safety Task Force to the scene of a major derailment in Columbus, Ohio.
According to media reports, around a dozen cars of a 98-car Norfolk Southern freight train derailed near Columbus, Ohio at approximately 2 a.m. on July 11, causing a large fire. Preliminary reports indicate there were no train crew injuries, but residents within a one mile radius of the crash site were evacuated. Columbus fire officials have reported to the media that some cars carrying ethanol ruptured during the derailment.
Carl W. Fields, Coordinator of the Safety Task Force, and Thomas F. Hebert, Primary Investigator, will be on hand to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with the investigation.