Train derails in SC and spills an unknown quantity of hazardous material

A train derailed in Greenwood County early Saturday morning, spilling a yet-to-be-determined about of a hazardous liquid.

The accident happened just before 3 p.m. at the Maxwell Rail Yard, according to a statement by CSX, the company that owns the rail yard. The wreck occurred about three miles from Greenwood’s city center.

An unknown quantity of hydrogen peroxide spilled out of one of the railcars and into the immediate area surrounding the wreck. The leak is yet to be contained. Greenwood County Emergency Manager George McKinney told Aleks Gilbert of the Index-Journal that the spill was “a very small drip.”

CXS says the leak poses no safety risk to the public. No waterways are impacted. CSX personnel are attempting to contain the leak and get the cars re-railed.

“The safety of our employees, the community and first responders on site is our highest priority,” said Katie Chimelewski of CSX.

Four cars derailed in the accident. The one carrying the hydrogen peroxide was the only railcar to leak.

No injuries occurred but several homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution, according to WSPA of the Upstate. The Index-Journal said that the wreck happened near a children’s home. One of the buildings on the grounds of the children’s home was evacuated, Fox Carolina in Greenville reported. People were moved to another building on the property.

A cause of the wreck has yet to determined.

In February CSX and Amtrak trains collided in Cayce, killing two.

This story was originally published August 25, 2018 at 2:36 PM.