(The following report appeared on the Southeast Missourian website on July 19.)
SIKESTON, Mo. — A Burlington Northern Santa Fe mixed-frieght train derailed roughly one mile south of Sikeston, Mo., at 11:50 a.m. today, causing authorities to block off a two-mile radius around the accident, near New Madrid County Road 824.
The train was traveling north to Minneapolis, Minn., from Memphis, Tenn. The derailment occurred in the lead locomotive and the next 10 cars, according to BNSF spokesperson Steve Forsberg. The sixth car in the train, which was carrying a “marine organic compound” called amine – a compound commonly used to make pesticides – and was the cause of the evacuation.
After the accident, the New Madrid Sheriff Department evacuated a 2-mile area around the site. Deputies evacuated six residences and three to four businesses, according to Sgt. Dale Morelind, public information officer with Troop E of the Missouri Highway Patrol. No injuries were reported and authorities were unaware of the speed of the train when it derailed. Smoke visible at the intersection of CR 824 and State Highway 61 was not associated with the accident.
Sikeston, Cape Girardeau and Jackson fire departments were on the scene and a small passenger plane was circling overhead. Missouri Highway Patrol and Department of Natural Resources also responded. The Southeast Missouri HazMat based out of Jackson was suited up to make an assessment of the situation at 3 p.m.