A Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio on Saturday, just two days after the CEO of the scandal-hit company failed to show up to a town hall meeting last month to discuss another fiery crash.
More than 1,500 Clark County residents were left without power after the derailment, and locals within 300 feet of the crime scene were told to shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution,” officials said.
Norfolk Suffolk claims no hazardous materials were involved in the incident – but first responders and emergency services remain on scene to ‘confirm their report’.
No one was reportedly injured and no evacuation orders have yet been issued.
About 20 cars of a 212-car train derailed while traveling through Springfield.
A Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio on Saturday as officials urged residents to seek shelter
About 1,500 Clark County residents are without power as a result of the derailment
Drone footage taken on Saturday evening shows the extent of the crash. Norfolk Southern says no one was injured and no hazardous materials were involved
It comes after another Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, sparking massive fires and the release of dangerous chemicals.
It forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern — who earns $4.5 million a year — faced stiff backlash for his handling of the disaster, with noted activist Erin Brockovich calling it a “cover-up.”
A Facebook post for Clark County said Saturday night that the emergency management agency was asking residents within 300 feet of a train derailment to “take shelter at the scene as a precaution.”
The crash happened at 41 Ohio, near the Prime Ohio Business Park. Motorists who needed to travel to Ohio 41 were urged to look for other routes Saturday night.
Local residents and government officials were on the scene, including the Springfield Fire Rescue Division and the Springfield Police Department.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, who earns $4.5 million for his role, faced backlash for his handling of a fiery derailment in eastern Palestine on Feb. 3.
The county posted an update at 7:55 p.m. that said, “We have not issued evacuation orders at this time. More than 1,500 residents are without power in Clark County.”
A second update at 8.50pm said: ‘Norfolk Southern has told authorities that no hazardous materials are involved in this incident.
“First responders and emergency services are currently working on site to confirm their report.”
A Norfolk Southern spokesman said, “Tonight about 20 cars of a 212-car Norfolk Southern train derailed while traveling south near Springfield, Ohio.
No hazardous materials were involved and no injuries were reported. Our teams are on their way to the site to begin cleanup operations.”
It undoubtedly means more bad news for Norfolk Southern, which is already dealing with backlash over its handling of the East Palestine crash.
Residents there claim they have since suffered projectile vomiting, headaches and skin rashes after being exposed to the toxic chemicals from the derailment.
On Thursday, CEO Shaw failed to show up at a town meeting to discuss next actions – prompting residents to ask “where is Alan?”
It is the second time Shaw has failed to show up for meetings.
His representative told the crowd that his company “feels horrible” about the crash.
Erin Brockovich — who was played by Julia Roberts in a 2000 movie about her activism — launched a scathing attack on the company’s handling of the disaster.
She labeled it a “classic cover-up” before adding “something isn’t right here.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now requiring Norfolk Southern to test dioxin levels in the area, though the agency says the analysis indicates the likelihood of contaminants being present after the accident is low.
The derailment of the Norfolk Southern train a month ago in the eastern Palestine city sparked a massive fire and led to the evacuation of thousands of residents
During the train accident on 3 February, hazardous substances were released into the air, soil and nearby surface waters
Norfolk Suffolk’s CEO has come under scrutiny for failing to show up at two eastern Palestine town meetings to discuss the crash. Eastern Palestine, Ohio, is pictured on February 3
Authorities have also promised a full investigation and ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for the cleanup.
But residents are particularly concerned that their air, soil and water have been contaminated after the controlled release of the toxic vinyl chloride to prevent a possible explosion.
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