Published: August 28, 2008 05:51 pm            

Train derailment in Vinemont

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No injuries were reported after a train derailed Thursday evening near the Vinemont community.

Members of the Vinemont and Goldridge Fire Departments as well as the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and Cullman EMS arrived on the scene near County Road 1303 within minutes of the accident, which occurred at approximately 4 p.m. Members of the Vinemont Fire Department and the Cullman County HAZMAT Team were on site as well to deal with a possible chemical spill.

“There were two hazardous material cars on there but they were empty,” said Christy Graves, public relations officer for Cullman County EMA.

Emergency personnel closed all roads leading to the accident site for over an hour until the threat was fully assessed.

Graves said the owner of the railroad, CSX Transportation, is conducting an investigation but to date, has not determined the cause of the derailment.

Though there were no chemical spills or fires, the train still received extensive damage. At least seven of the train’s cars were knocked off the tracks, several of which were stacked on top of one another like a child’s blocks. Large pieces of the cars, such as wheel axles and springs, were strewn about along the railroad.

Graves said the train was headed southbound toward the city of Cullman.

Further details about the train were unavailable by deadline.

        

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