The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the Saturday morning collision and derailment of three Norfolk Southern trains near Easton, Pennsylvania. The incident left railroad cars along a riverbank and one partially in the river.
Norfolk Southern reported no injuries or hazardous material issues and no public threat. We applaud local emergency authorities' rapid, competent reaction. Norfolk Southern spokespersons said teams and contractors are on-site formulating a clean-up plan.
Lower Saucon Township police chief Thomas Barndt said emergency services were called around 7:15 a.m. Saturday. Authorities said the number of cars involved was unknown.
The Nancy Run Fire Company posted photos of railroad carriages on the riverside with one partially in the water.
Barndt said the accident poured diesel gasoline into the Lehigh River and polypropylene plastic pellets from a derailed rail vehicle. Norfolk Southern will vacuum diesel from containment booms. Cleaning polypropylene pellets is also planned. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is watching and communicating with local officials.
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said at a press conference Saturday morning that the county EMS performed three training sessions after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, last February, contributing to the “excellent reaction” to Saturday morning's incident.
“We are so glad Lower Saucon is so well equipped and trained,” he remarked. Gary Weiland, who lives across the river in Bethlehem Township, told Allentown's The Morning Call he heard a smash, then silence, then another crash.
As the second one happened, I went upstairs and witnessed a splash out the window. I told my wife, ‘I think a train derailed.’” Weiland stated.
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