WGXC-90.7 FM

CSX train carrying hazardous materials derails in Newburgh

Mar 08, 2017 7:00 am

Mid-Hudson News Network and the Daily Freeman a CSX freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed Tue., Mar. 7, at approximately 3:30 p.m. in Newburgh. The train derailed when it struck an equipment loader crossing the tracks near the city waterfront and the New Windsor line. All three locomotives derailed, and the lead locomotive ended up blocking a road crossing when it came to a stop. Approximately 20 of the train's 77 cars left the tracks; seven of the cars contained hazardous materials, including sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and aqueous bisulfites. A small amount of sulfuric acid spilled. The remainder of the train carried food, corn oil, bulk salt, cardboard and glass products, the railroad said. There were no major spills, CSX said. Three CSX maintenance employees working in the area were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The two people operating the train at the time of the accident were not injured. The train was traveling from the Selkirk yard in Albany County, to Waycross, Georgia. U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney issued an angry statement after learning about the derailment. “I am getting sick and tired of issuing statements about dangerous train derailments — this time only blocks from my office in Newburgh,” the Cold Spring Democrat said. “I’m glad to hear reports that no one was killed, but even one injury is too many. It’s got to stop. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.