Norfolk Southern Faces Lawsuits Following Recent Derailments [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

• A Norfolk Southern train derailed in Calhoun County, Alabama with approximately 30 cars derailing, but no reports of injuries or hazardous leak.
• This is the third derailment for the company since last month.
• CEO Alan Shaw testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee about the Feb. 3 derailment that led to a toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

A Norfolk Southern train derailed on Thursday in Calhoun County, Alabama, causing approximately 30 cars to derail. The train was traveling from Atlanta to Meridian, Mississippi, when it derailed at around 6:45 a.m. in the Quad Cities area of White Plains.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or hazardous leaks as a result of the accident. Norfolk Southern has responded to the incident and is working closely with local authorities.

An agency spokesperson stated that “Norfolk Southern has their cleanup crew on site and there is no estimation on how long it will take.”

This is the third derailment for the company since last month. Officials have not yet determined what caused the derailment, but the company’s spokesperson, Connor Spielmaker, told reporters that Norfolk Southern is looking into the incidents and “figuring out how we can become even safer.” The company is also facing lawsuits in connection with recent derailments.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw recently testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee about a February 3 derailment that led to a toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

During the hearing, Shaw apologized for what happened and stated that he is “determined to make it right.” He promised to “clean the site safely, thoroughly and with urgency.”

Five toxic chemicals were identified around the site of the East Palestine crash, including butyl acrylate, isobutylene, ethylene glycol, ethylhexyl acrylate, and vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen.

Since the derailment, residents have reported illnesses related to chemical exposure, and rail workers at the site have fallen ill.

In addition to the recent derailments, Norfolk Southern is facing a special investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into the company’s organization and safety culture following a series of significant accidents.

Source: nbc.news