Accident
On July 2, 2015, a CSX Transportation freight train carrying hazardous materials from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waycross, Georgia derailed in Maryville, Tennessee. [2] It was composed of two locomotives and 57 freight cars, [3] at least two of which were carrying acrylonitrile. [2] Other railcars in the consist were carrying LPG. [4] Three of the railcars were reported to have caught fire. Authorities ordered an evacuation of everyone within a 1 mile (1.6 km) radius. [5] The evacuation zone was later extended to 2 miles (3.2 km), [2] affecting over 5,000 people. [2] Those evacuated were offered accommodation at the Heritage High School, where Red Cross personnel provided assistance, or at the Foothills Mall. [6] Roads closed included U.S. Route 321. [5] Fifty-two people were injured by inhaling fumes from the chemicals on the train. [3] Twenty-five of them, [7] including seven police officers, were hospitalized. [3] [5]
CSX said it was helping residents find lodging. They also said there were at least three cars carrying the chemical, although only one was burning. [8]
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) did not open an investigation into the accident, although that option remained open to them. [3] At the time, NTSB spokespersons reported they would monitor the situation and could send an investigator later depending on new developments but never did. [9]
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) lists a report from CSX stating that the cause of the accident was an overheated journal or roller bearing. It also states the number of injured as 197 and total damages as $272,000. [1]
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