No Hazardous Leaks Reported As CSX Train Derailment Cleanup Continues

The investigation and cleanup after a CSX freight train derailed in Lower Bucks County on Tuesday afternoon continued Wednesday morning.

Temporary evacuations and a shelter-in-place order have been lifted after officials confirmed that no hazardous materials leaked.

The incident, which resulted in no reported injuries, remains under investigation by rail officials.

The derailment took place at 1:59 p.m. Tuesday on the tracks, CSX spokesperson Jonathan Stuckey told LevittownNow.com.

Bensalem Township public safety crews responded to the tracks between Bristol and Street roads shortly after 2:20 p.m. after reports of the crash.

Responders deployed drones to locate the site and found several detached freight cars that had derailed and overturned on the tracks, which were also damaged, officials said.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the eastbound CSX train consisted of approximately 72 railcars. Thirteen cars near the rear of the train derailed and overturned, according to the Bensalem Township Police Department.

CSX officials reported that 16 cars were derailed.

Out of an abundance of caution, local police established a temporary shelter-in-place order for surrounding areas in Bensalem and Middletown townships. An emergency alert was sent to cell phones in the area by the county 9-1-1 center.

Bensalem Township officers also went door-to-door along Grove Avenue and Old Lincoln Highway to evacuate nearby residents and business owners. Nearby businesses let employees go early and police blocked local roads.

The Bucks County Special Operations Team and its hazardous materials unit were called to the scene to assess the situation and risk.

The train was carrying mixed freight, and three of the derailed cars displayed hazardous material placards, officials said.

According to Stuckey, two of those cars contained solid adipic acid and liquid isopropanol.

By 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, personnel from Bensalem Fire Rescue, Bensalem Emergency Medical Services, and the county confirmed that none of the hazardous material cars were leaking and there was no threat to public safety.

After the assessment, evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were rescinded and residents allowed to return.

The scene was then secured and turned over to CSX officials to oversee cleanup and the ongoing investigation into the cause of the derailment.

Stuckey said the company’s main focus is the safety of onsite personnel and the surrounding community.

Bristol Road was closed between Old Lincoln Highway and Spruce Avenue after the incident. It reopened in Bensalem and Lower Southampton townships late Thursday night.

Video footage from NBC 10 showed train crews used heavy equipment to repair the rail line late Thursday evening.

@nbcphiladelphia SkyForce10 was over the site of where a freight train derailed in Bucks County on Tuesday as crews worked in the night to clean up what was left behind. #nbc10philly #trainderailed #buckscounty ♬ original sound – nbcphiladelphia

SEPTA officials reported that the incident impacted the West Trenton Regional Rail Line, which runs through the area. Alerts are posted on SEPTA’s website.

As of Wednesday morning, SEPTA police had blocked off the Neshaminy Falls Train Station, and officials noted that service is expected to resume once the tracks are inspected and deemed safe.

Officials asked that residents stay away from the railroad tracks while cleanup operations take place.

State Sen. Frank Farry, a volunteer fire chief, thanked responders for acting so quickly. He also advised residents his office will continue to monitor the situation.

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said in a social media post that his office is in contact with local, federal, CSX, and SEPTA officials.

In addition to Bensalem Township crews, CSX officials, SEPTA, and county teams, the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, Feasterville Fire Company, Dow Chemical Company, Lower Southampton Fire Department, Lower Southampton Township Police Department, and Parkland Fire Company assisted at the scene.