Heavy Wind Could Be to Blame for Train Derailment
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: May 7, 2012
MARSHALL COUNTY - "Like a constant string of loud thunder."
That is how people in Marshall County are describing a train derailment.
It happened around 4 p.m. Sunday about a 1.5 miles east of the small town of Toluca. It's believed at least 30 cars jumped the tracks.
Authorities from many different agencies, including a HAZMAT team, responded and remained on the scene several hours later.
A large perimeter was set up to keep people at bay. The main priority at first was everyone's safety.
That included a brief evacuation of some people in the surrounding area. They've since been allowed back into their homes.
Then the focus was going to to turn to figuring out what caused the derailment. Heavy wind from a severe weather system that moved through Marshall County Sunday is not being ruled out as the possible cause.
Meanwhile, one resident told WMBD 31 he's lived near Toluca for 20 years and never heard anything like the derailment before.
He said he heard the loud 'boom' and knew it didn't sound right.
"I told Janna, I said did you hear that? It sounded like the longest thunder, but it just didn't sound right. And then we came out. We were looking around, on the other side of the house. You can see the train that's laying on its side," said Eric Porch.
The clean-up process is expected to take several hours. The good news is there are no reports of any injuries.
The train was double stacked carrying trailer containers, like what you see on a semi.
It's unclear if any hazardous material was on board.
Marshall County 2900 Rd. is expected to be closed for a while.
That is how people in Marshall County are describing a train derailment.
It happened around 4 p.m. Sunday about a 1.5 miles east of the small town of Toluca. It's believed at least 30 cars jumped the tracks.
Authorities from many different agencies, including a HAZMAT team, responded and remained on the scene several hours later.
A large perimeter was set up to keep people at bay. The main priority at first was everyone's safety.
That included a brief evacuation of some people in the surrounding area. They've since been allowed back into their homes.
Then the focus was going to to turn to figuring out what caused the derailment. Heavy wind from a severe weather system that moved through Marshall County Sunday is not being ruled out as the possible cause.
Meanwhile, one resident told WMBD 31 he's lived near Toluca for 20 years and never heard anything like the derailment before.
He said he heard the loud 'boom' and knew it didn't sound right.
"I told Janna, I said did you hear that? It sounded like the longest thunder, but it just didn't sound right. And then we came out. We were looking around, on the other side of the house. You can see the train that's laying on its side," said Eric Porch.
The clean-up process is expected to take several hours. The good news is there are no reports of any injuries.
The train was double stacked carrying trailer containers, like what you see on a semi.
It's unclear if any hazardous material was on board.
Marshall County 2900 Rd. is expected to be closed for a while.
