(Wilkes Barre television station WNEP posted the following story on its website on February 26.)
WILKES BARRE, Pa. — A railroad tanker started rolling through Wilkes Barre Tuesday morning. It traveled more than a mile with no one at the controls. Amazingly, no one was hurt.
Wilkes Barre firefighters and police found out about the runaway rail car from a 911 call.
The person who called said he was driving along South Pennsylvania Boulevard when he looked to his left and saw a train car rolling by, all by itself.
The director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority runs the railroad in the county. “Somewhere along the line, the car loosened up and started rolling near Butler Street,” explained Bob Connolly, Executive Director of the Authority. “We’re not positive how that happened and when it happened.”
The runaway train passed through three busy intersections and somehow, there were no accidents.
“I saw one train car come down by itself, over a crossing on Market and down over East Northampton. Then it just kept going,” said But Jones of Wilkes Barre. “I thought it was kind of crazy!”
Other people heard the tanker car pass while it made it’s mile-long trip. “It’s shocking. Something you’d never expect!” said Kristine Pius of Wilkes Barre.
It’s something Bob Connolly said could have turn into a disaster. “It did go through those intersections unflagged and unprotected. We’re very, very happy nothing serious happened,” said Connolly.
The Luzerne County Rail Authority has inspectors checking all rail cars in the city to ensure brakes are on and secured. The runaway car will be returned to its proper home later this week.