Derailed Train Cars Spew Toxic Fumes

(CBS/AP)  Two rail cars jumped the track and overturned, leaking hydrochloric acid and ethylene oxide, forcing police to evacuate thousands of residents within a 1-mile radius of the accident.

The cars jumped the track around 2:20 a.m. Saturday. Lafayette Corporal Paul Mouton says a total of six cars derailed, and two of them began to leak.

CBS affiliate KLFY correspondent Hubert Tate reports that officers have blocked off the area within a one-mile radius of the scene, and local firefighters and state police are advising everyone within the area to leave.

Mouton says the area is mostly businesses, but there are also a few apartment complexes and a nursing home. He estimates thousands will have to be evacuated.

Acadian Ambulance official Clay Henry 20 bedbound residents of the Our Lady of the Oaks nursing home were being taken to a hospital.

He also says that two railroad employees had earlier been taken to a hospital for possible exposure and for observation.

[downsteamjim]

The latest report is that the engineer made an emergency stop to get food from Prejean''s.

[downsteamjim]

Why would nuclear waste products ride up and down our railways? Are they lost? Are they seeking frequent rail miles? Are they looking for Cher or Godzilla?

[dennisjr6]

Same problems with the rail networks across the United
States.

[veteran72]

"Derailed Train Cars Spew Toxic Fumes"

Huh.....we have the same problem with mudrose...
Go figure....

[idnnsg]

Be glad it wasn''t nuclear waste products which also ride up and down our railways and our highways, too!