Chlorine gas from Norfolk Southern train kills 8 textile workers
A Norfolk Southern train with a cargo of chlorine crashed into a parked train outside a textile mill in Aiken, S.C., killing eight workers and injuring at least 200 others, according to an Associated Press report Thursday.
The train’s engineer was reportedly killed as a result of the crash.
The AP reported that the train wreck, which occurred at the Avondale Mill, involved the derailment of 16 cars. Deadly chlorine gas began escaping from ruptured cars shortly after the 2:30 a.m. wreck.
Robert D. Jamison, acting administrator for the U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Railroad Administration said in a statement Thursday that a team of nine federal investigators has been dispatched to the scene.
“We are concerned about the nature of the incident and the tragic loss of life and are committed to a thorough review in order to ensure the safe operation of the railroad,” Jamison said.