(The Southern Illinoisan posted the following article by Mark Lambird on its website on February 26.)
BELKNAP — A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailed near the rural Johnson County town of Belknap Wednesday night. The derailment happened at about 9:30 p.m.
Mike Cloud, foreman of the Cook Coal Terminal in Metropolis, said the coal train was headed for the terminal, which is on the Ohio River. He said the train had about 130 cars and two engines.
Mike Chamness, acting director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, said officials from the Marion IEMA office were en route to the scene shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday. Chamness said he did not foresee any evacuations because of the derailment.
“There was no (hazardous material) spill,” Chamness said. “There was some diesel leakage, but nothing major.”
Chamness said the train struck a crane and that two people were injured by the impact. He said initial reports from the scene were that five cars left the track, but remained upright.