(The Associated Press circulated the following article on March 27.)
COLUMBUS — Six freight cars, including at least one that carried a hazardous material, derailed while a Norfolk Southern train passed through a mostly industrial area, authorities said Tuesday.
No one was injured in the Monday night derailment in which some molten sulfur compound leaked from one of the derailed cars, Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband said. He called it a “minor” leak.
Husband said plastic pellets spilled from one of the derailed cars. He said three of the cars were empty, and he did not know the contents of the sixth derailed car.
Police reported earlier that two of derailed cars contained a sulfuric compound. In addition, Sgt. John Todhunter had said that crews working to remove the derailed cars told him the cargo was not hazardous and no leaks had been found.
Husband said Norfolk Southern was investigating the cause of the derailment, which happened about 9:50 p.m. Monday on Columbus’ south side as the 99-car train traveled to the city from Portsmouth in southern Ohio.
Witnesses reported seeing sparks and hearing loud bangs before the train stopped and the cars tipped.
“It sounded like metal touching metal on the rails. Then I saw them pile up,” said Donald Borcious, who was driving his truck nearby.
Evon Banks, who lives two blocks south of the scene, said the derailment shook his house.