(The Associated Press circulated the following article on January 6.)
A look at some recent serious train wrecks in South Carolina:
Jan 6, 2005: One person killed, 70 injured when a freight train hits rail cars on a siding at a textile mill in Graniteville, derailing and releasing chlorine gas.
Nov. 19, 2004: Five people die near Graniteville when the car they are riding in is struck by a freight train. Authorities say the driver tried to beat the train to a crossing.
Jan. 23, 2004: Thirteen rail cars, including three carrying ordnance, derail during a switching operation at North Charleston rail yard, snarling Amtrak service along the East Coast. No injuries or evacuations.
May 14, 2002: Fourteen people injured when a Miami-bound Amtrak train hits a log truck at a crossing near Coosawhatchie. All 10 cars and the engine derail.
Aug. 21, 2000: Nine cars of Amtrak’s Silver Meteor traveling from New York to Jacksonville, Fla., derail in Lake City, sending 40 people to hospitals, most with minor injuries.
Nov. 23, 1998: More than 1,000 people evacuate after 12 cars of a CSX freight train, some carrying methyl alcohol and sodium hydroxide, derail near a highway in Laurens County. No injuries.
Aug. 15, 1996: Several dozen residents in Seneca evacuate overnight after more than 100 gallons of a chemical used in yarn processing leaks from derailed tanker cars in Seneca. The cars were on a siding when their brakes failed and rolled about a half-mile before derailing. No injuries.
May 2, 1995: Amtrak’s Silver Star heading from New York to Miami smashes into a tractor trailer truck near Allendale. Fourteen cars jump the track and 45 people are injured.
July 31, 1991: Eight people die when Amtrak’s Silver Star hits a freight car on a siding near Camden. Seventy-eight people are injured.
