(The Associated Press circulated the following on August 3.)
TAMPA, Fla. — A CSX freight train flipped off the tracks after hitting a piece of railroad equipment deliberately left on the tracks, the FBI said.
“Its become a criminal investigation,” FBI spokeswoman Carol Michalik said Monday. “Something was left on the tracks.”
No further details were immediately available.
No one was hurt when the CSX engine and three cars derailed Sunday evening.
About 200 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the engine and a major Tampa road was closed all day Monday as workers cleaned up the mess.
Witness Ernest Rickenbacker saw the engine “just hit the ground” as he drove past Sunday.
“At least 40 people ran up to it to help whoever was inside,” Rickenbacker said. “It really showed that people still care.”