TRAIN DERAILMENT: 9 Norfolk Southern cars derail in New Castle

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A Norfolk Southern train derailed late Wednesday night in western Pennsylvania.

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The derailment happened near Montgomery Avenue in New Castle, Lawrence County. Officials say no hazardous materials are involved and no injuries were reported.

Pennsylvania Emergency Management System reports that the train consisted of 231 cars and three locomotives.

Lawrence County Department of Public Safety said at 11:30 a.m. that two cars have been removed and plans are being made to remove three cars from a bridge.

The New Castle Fire chief told Channel 11 his department were notified around 11 p.m. Wednesday. He said Norfolk Southern had their investigative team and administration there right away.

He said no hazardous materials were in the cars — one was carrying soybeans and another had paraffin wax. Some of the wax spilled, but officials said it is not hazardous.

After Ohio train derailment, New Castle Fire Department proactive in emergency preparedness

Channel 11 was told some of the other cars had dried goods and others were empty.

We’re told there is significant damage to a bridge and train tracks, both owned by Norfolk Southern, so an engineer was called to evaluate if it’s safe to put heavy equipment on the bridge to remove the other cars.

Officials say there is no threat to the public.

Repairs to the bridge and tracks are expected to take days and possibly weeks.

Norfolk Southern sent the following statement to Channel 11 just before 5:30 a.m.:

“At 11:57 p.m. Wednesday evening, nine cars derailed outside of New Castle, PA. There were no hazardous materials involved, and no injuries have been reported. Our crews responded immediately and are actively working at the site.”

Norfolk Southern’s statement indicates that the train derailed just before midnight, however, Channel 11 was first alerted to the derailment around 11:23 p.m.

The company has come under fire recently after a massive train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in which toxic chemicals were released.

In March, another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Springfield, Ohio.

In April, a Norfolk Southern train derailed on its way to Birmingham, Alabama, and another derailed in Calhoun County, Alabama. Five empty Norfolk Southern cars derailed in Pittsburgh on April 8.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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