SANDSTONE, W.Va. — An empty coal train struck a rockslide along the tracks in West Virginia Wednesday morning, causing a derailment that injured three crew members, CSX Transportation said in a statement.
Four empty locomotives and 22 cars derailed in Summers County near New River, CSX said. The lead locomotive, which was carrying a driver, an engineer and an engineer trainee, caught fire and crew members were being evaluated and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the company said.
CSX said an unoccupied locomotive was partially in the waterway where an unknown amount of diesel fuel and oil spilled. Environmental teams were deploying containment measures.
The derailment occurred in a remote area just south of Sandstone within New River National Park and Preserve, according to a statement from the West Virginia Division of Emergency Management. Several state agencies are monitoring the situation and said downstream public water systems have been notified and are monitoring any potential public health impacts.
No hazardous materials were being transported and there was no danger to the public, CSX said.
The company said the safety of employees and the community was a top priority as it sends teams to assess the situation and develop a recovery plan.