(The Associated Press circulated the following article by Jim Suhr on December 4.)
CHRISTOPHER, Ill. — A Union Pacific freight train derailed in southern Illinois early Monday, spilling 20,000 gallons of oil products and forcing the evacuation of more than 70 homes.
Two locomotives and 21 cars of the 83-car train derailed hours before dawn during a trip from Chicago to Houston, Union Pacific spokesman James Barnes said.
About a dozen people were taken to hospitals for treatment of mild symptoms, including burning or irritation of the throat, eyes and nose, said Tracey Karnes, a spokeswoman for ambulance provider Mercy Regional Health Services.
“There was kind of a smell in the air. It had a metallic taste, but kind of made the back of your throat burn a little bit, kind of scratchy,” Brian Mosley, 19, said at a Red Cross shelter after being examined at a hospital. He and his grandparents live about 150 yards from derailment site.
The victims included residents and emergency responders. Karnes did not believe any injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization.
The cause of the derailment had not been determined, authorities said.
Two of the derailed cars leaked a product used as an additive for lubricating oil and a diesel-type fuel lubricant, Barnes said. Rail service through the area was expected to resume by noon Tuesday.
“Several cars are piled on top of each other, 40 feet in the air,” West Frankfort Fire Lt. Craig Lemmon said.
Residents who evacuated more than 70 homes were allowed to return by late afternoon, officials said.
Christopher is a town of 2,800 people about 80 miles southeast of St. Louis.