(The Associated Press circulated the following article on March 12.)
ONEIDA, N.Y. — Today’s train explosion in central New York prompted Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to call for an investigation into a railroad safety in New York state.
Fire officials say 28 cars on an 80-car CSX freight train — including several tankers containing liquid propane and other hazardous materials — derailed around seven this morning in a wooded area on Oneida’s north side. Much of the area was evacuated and part of the Thruway was shut down.
Most residents have since been cleared to return to their homes.
Late this afternoon, in a letter the head of the Federal Railroad Administration, Clinton called today’s accident a — quote — “wake-up call.” She pointed out to Joseph Boardman, a central New York native, that the incident was just the latest in a series of recent derailments across New York state.