FAIRBURN, Ga. — A 21-year-old Alabama man was hospitalized in critical condition after a CSX train derailed early Thursday and severed his legs, the Associated Press reported.
About 10 cars toppled over when the train jumped the tracks just before 3 a.m. in south Fulton County, officials said.
The train, which contained paper products, was traveling from Atlanta and was headed to a Ralston-Purina plant.
Fire officials at the scene said the man, identified as Shane White of Roanoke, Ala., was trying to back up the train when he saw another box car already on the tracks. Authorities said the CSX employee realized a crash was about to happen and jumped from the train.
The victim’s legs were severed after he somehow got caught underneath the wheels of the train. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
The derailment happened along Industrial Boulevard near Fairburn.