HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The dramatic derailment that impacted 31 rail cars and resulted in a sulfur leak has been cleared, with crews continuing to work to fully restore the wreck site.
On Dec. 30 just before 7 a.m., a CSX train derailed 31 rail cars near Trenton Tress Shop Road and Dixie Bee Line Highway in Trenton by the Christian County boundary. Todd County Emergency Management was immediately notified and quickly responded to the scene, with the Hopkinsville Fire Department provided mutual aid with their Hazardous Materials Team. Residents were initially told to shelter in place while the area was assessed.
When the derailment occurred, one rail car containing molten sulfur was breached and lost a small amount of its contents, resulting in a fire that was quickly extinguished, according to CSX. All of the lost product was safely recovered, and no injuries were reported. Led by Todd County Emergency Management Director Ash Groves, there was a coordinated joint response between cities to contain and stop the leak safely.
CSX crews worked through the night, removing the cars involved by using side booms and excavators. Repairs to the track were also completed to allow rail traffic to commence through the area. The rail line reopened at approximately 8 a.m. on Dec. 31.
Collaborative response efforts with Christian, Todd County
Payton Rogers with HFD said seven firefighters responded to the scene along with several executive staff members within an hour. They were able to provide manpower, a thermal imaging drone, and HAZMAT equipment to assist in mitigating the incident.
“All responding agencies worked extremely well together while maintaining safety for all responders and nearby residents,” Rogers told Christian County Now. Several other volunteer departments also assisted including Elkton and Trenton Fire Departments and emergency management from Christian and Todd County.
Austin Staton with CSX told Christian County Now that residents may still see cars and equipment staged near the area in the next few days while the impacted site is completely remediated. CSX also said ongoing air monitoring is being conducted in coordination with environmental specialists, and it has shown no detected air-quality concerns in the surrounding area.
The latest updates on traffic from KYTC say that extended road closures are possible in the immediate area, as well as in U.S. 41 between Pembroke and Trenton.
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