Crews clean after 17 train cars derail in Harmar Township
HARMAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — More than a dozen train cars derailed in Harmar Township, sending three people to the hospital on Thursday.
Officials said 17 cars derailed and nine of them fell into the Deer Creek at the mouth of the Allegheny River after a construction vehicle trying to cross the tracks on Freeport Road was hit around 3:15 p.m. Four of the nine cars are oil tankers and the other five are buffer cars.
Norfolk Southern said the train was hauling petroleum distillates and three cars were leaking, but have since been contained. Crews boomed the river to keep the leak from spreading after the cars fell into the creek that flows into the river.
Officials are asking the public to stay away as clean up continued into Friday.
"This is in a dangerous area for right now. It's gonna be for the next few days. Stay out of the area," said Bruno Moretti with emergency management.
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Environmental Protection Agency Coordinator Ann DiDonato said they plan to test the water Saturday, but haven't witnessed any fish kill or impacts on aquatic life.
"Right now they're trying to get the submerged tankers or partially submerged tanker cars out. The boom is doing its job right now. But we will definitely update as things go along," said DiDonato.
The truck's driver and those operating the Norfolk Southern train were taken to the hospital. They have "non-life-threatening injuries," officials said.
PennDOT said Freeport Road is closed in both directions. The Coast Guard also closed the river to traffic from Harmar Township to the Point.
Work is expected to go well into Memorial Day weekend.
