SHARE

State Police Release New Details On Rockland-Bound Freight Train Derailment

NEWBURGH, N.Y. -- More than 4,600 gallons of diesel fuel leaked after Tuesday's CSX freight train derailment in Orange County, state police said on Wednesday morning.

Freight train cars off the tracks in Newburgh on Tuesday, spilling more than 4,600 gallons of diesel fuel. CSX estimates the rail line will be reopened by Thursday evening and the wreckage removed over the next 48 hours, state police said.

Freight train cars off the tracks in Newburgh on Tuesday, spilling more than 4,600 gallons of diesel fuel. CSX estimates the rail line will be reopened by Thursday evening and the wreckage removed over the next 48 hours, state police said.

Photo Credit: Instagram
U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, is pushing for stricter safety regulations on freight trains like one that derailed on Tuesday near his Newburgh office.

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, is pushing for stricter safety regulations on freight trains like one that derailed on Tuesday near his Newburgh office.

Photo Credit: File

Police released new details about the 3:11 p.m. crash that derailed three locomotives and 14 of the train's 77 rail cars shortly before a news conference. Four train operators were hurt and one remains hospitalized, police said.

Police said the CSX freight train struck a 135-foot "articulating boom lift" while traveling on the CSX Hudson Line toward Rockland County en route to Georgia. The train left from Selkirk, N.Y.

The operator of the boom lift was approaching a private crossing when it became disabled on the tracks. The operator was able to get off the lift before the freight train's lead locomotive struck it, causing the train to derail, police said.

The lead locomotive continued southbound before coming to rest on River Road in the City of Newburgh.

During the derailment of the railcars, uninvolved CSX tamper and regulator (rail operated track maintenance machines) were struck on an adjacent track causing injuries to the two operators, police said.

CSX estimates approximately 4,660 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the ruptured locomotive fuel tanks, police said. No other locomotive tanks or cars were compromised or leaked, and no loss of product occurred, police said, and the scene "is stabilized and recovery operations have commenced."

Both operators, along with the locomotive conductor and engineer were treated at St. Luke's Hospital. One operator was admitted pending further treatment, the others were treated and released, police said.

CSX estimates the rail line will be reopened by Thursday evening and the wreckage removed over the next 48 hours, police said.

U.S. Reps. Nita Lowey and Sean Patrick Maloney joined Sen. Charles Schumer on Tuesday in expressing concern about the latest freight train derailment.

In Mississippi, meanwhile, four people were killed earlier Tuesday at a railroad crossing when a freight train slammed into a tourist bus headed to a casino in Biloxi, Miss.

to follow Daily Voice Southwest Dutchess and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE