(The Associated Press circulated the following article on January 8.)
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. — More than 100 people turned out for two different memorials Friday, remembering those who were killed during a deadly train derailment one year ago and the workers who responded after the disaster.
Nine people were killed, hundreds injured and 5,400 people were evacuated from this mill town after a Norfolk Southern train slammed into a parked train. The crash ruptured a chlorine tanker and released a toxic cloud over the town.
The first memorial, a candlelight vigil at sunrise, remembered the nine people who died after the pre-dawn wreck Jan. 6, 2005. Mourners gathered to pray and sing “Amazing Grace.”
Donna Ansley attended both ceremonies. She said she was a surrogate mother to mill worker John Henry Laird Jr., who was killed in the incident.
“I know this is supposed to help with the healing, but it’s almost like it’s ripping it back open again,” she told The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle. “But I know this is a good thing.”
A second ceremony in appreciation of the rescue workers and first responders was held later at the University of South Carolina at Aiken campus, where many residents fled to seek medical attention after the wreck.
Chris Alverson, a firefighter with the Savannah River Site Fire Department, attended the appreciation ceremony with his three young daughters.
“I’m a firefighter and served the 10 days here,” he said. “We’re here just to say thanks to the community for helping us.”