(The Associated Press circulated the following on July 18.)
ABINGDON, Va. — Children at a day-care center were accidentally sprayed with herbicide Tuesday when a train sprayed herbicide on weeds along a track near the facility.
Four kids were playing by a fence at Miss Amy’s Child Care, when the train passed by spraying the track. Two children complained of irritation in their eyes and itching.
All the children were immediately taken to a grassy area away from the railroad tracks. The four who were sprayed were taken inside, washed off and their clothes were changed.
Robin Chapman, a Norfolk Southern spokesman said the incident will be investigated further, but said a wind shift caused the spray to blow away from the tracks to the day-care center.
NatureChem, the company contracted to spray the herbicide, did not comment.
Railroad workers washed all the day care centers outdoor toys and began removing 105 tons of sand from the play area so it can be replaced.