(The following story by April Bailey appeared on the Aiken Standard website on January 1.)
AIKEN, S.C. — It has been four years since the Graniteville train wreck, and for the fourth year since the tragedy, the community will gather to mourn the lives of the nine victims who died after two Norfolk Southern trains collided, releasing chlorine gas into the air.
The Graniteville Community Coalition will hold its annual candlelight service Saturday at 5 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 271 Bethlehem Circle.
At the service, family members of those who died after the crash will be asked to light a candle in honor of their loved ones, said Louisianna Wright, founder of the Graniteville Community Coalition. Youth choirs from local churches will also perform during the event.
Local elected officials have been invited to attend the ceremony, including state Rep. Bill Clyburn, state Rep. J. Roland Smith, Ronnie Young, chairman of the Aiken County Council, and Phil Napier, chief of the Graniteville Fire Department.
Wright said the Coalition organized shortly after the accident to assist those in the community affected by the train collision.
Almost five years later, Wright said she sees people still trying to pull their lives back together in the Graniteville community.
“I think health-wise, those people that suffered health issues are still struggling, but I see people kind of coming back,” said Wright.
“I see where people are striving and working hard to improve their lives, but it’s still a lot to be done down there.”
Wright said the wreck created a domino effect of issues for some in the community.
“People were left with health problems, the mill closed, people lost jobs and now there is the economy, so it’s been a lot of obstacles,” she said.
Wright said the annual candlelight ceremonies affect families differently, and some find the reminder of the loss difficult, she said. Most, however, attend the service each year.
“A lot of the families still come. I think it’s more a way for us to let them know that have haven’t forgotten them or their loved ones,” said Wright.
For more information on the event, call Wright at 649-5350.