Another Norfolk Southern train derails in Alabama shortly before its director apologizes in the Senate for the Ohio spill

By Minyvonne Burke -

A Norfolk Southern company train derailed Thursday in Calhoun County, Alabama, just hours before company president Alan Shaw was scheduled to appear before the Senate to answer questions about a February 3 accident that caused a toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

The incident on Thursday occurred around 6:45 a.m. in the Quad Cities area of ​​White Palms, the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency reported.

No injuries or hazardous chemical spills were reported after about 30 railcars derailed, a spokesman said.

"Norfolk Southern responded and is working with us," he said, there is "a cleanup crew in place [but] there are no estimates of how long it may take."

The causes are also unknown.

Cleaning up the Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 9, 2023. Gene J. Puskar / AP

Norfolk Southern said the derailed train left Atlanta, Georgia, for Meridian, Mississippi.

It is the third similar incident involving company trains in February and March.

Last Saturday, 28 cars derailed in Springfield, Ohio on a 212 train traveling from Bellevue, Ohio to Birmingham, Alabama.

He specified that the train had previously transported a diesel derivative and an additive commonly used for sewage treatment.

One of the derailed wagons contained plastic pellets that were spilled on the ground.

According to Ann Vogel, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, it is non-polluting.

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The National Transportation Safety Agency (NTSB) has launched a special investigation into Norfolk Southern and its safety policies after a series of derailments and other "significant accidents."

The most serious incident occurred in February when a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Five toxic materials were identified in the East Palestine area, one of them a known carcinogen.

Since the accident, area residents and railway workers have been diagnosed with illnesses related to exposure to toxic materials.

Norfolk Southern is monitoring any public health impacts

Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern

Shaw indicated in a statement delivered before his appearance before the Senate Committee that "we will continue to invest in East Palestine for as long as it takes to help the community recover."

The statement delivered to the Senate committee stated that "Norfolk Southern is working to remedy the issues and monitor any impacts on public health and the environment."