(The Associated Press circulated the following article on July 18.)
NEOSHO RAPIDS, Kan. — A freight train derailment closed part of Kansas 130 on Tuesday afternoon after 30 to 40 cars jumped the tracks on the outskirts of town.
No injuries were reported, but Lyon County officials ordered nearby homes evacuated because of potential chemicals on board the wrecked containers. No leaks were reported and the evacuation was more of a precaution, Sheriff Gary Eichorn said.
The train cars, part of a westbound BNSF Railway train, blocked part of the highway as they were stacked three or four deep.
Officials didn’t immediately say what caused the derailment.