(The following story by Charles Owens appeared on the Bluefield Daily Telegraph website on April 22, 2010.)
WELCH, W.Va. — Investigators with Norfolk Southern are still trying to figure out what caused an unusual double train derailment in McDowell County.
A train that was traveling from Linwood, N.C., to Ekhart, Ind., derailed six cars in the Capels community. Five of the cars turned over in the middle of a track occupied by another stationary train. That in return resulted in a derailment of four cars from the second train, NS spokesman Robin Chapman said.
“This is somewhat unusual,” Chapman said. “The cause of the derailment is still under investigation.”
Chapman said the two derailments resulted in a coal spill, but there were no hazardous materials involved, and no injuries were reported.
The accident occurred in a remote section of McDowell County about five miles west of Welch.
Chapman said crews with NS were still working Tuesday afternoon to remove the derailed cars. Chapman said NS was hoping to have the track open for traffic by the end of the day.
Chapman said six trains were delayed as a result of the derailment.
There were no local authorities dispatched to the train derailment, according to the McDowell County 911 Center.