December 8th, 2011 | 
Author: SPARTANBURG, SC – A CSX train hauling coal derailed in Spartanburg, SC on Sunday, December 4, 2011 causing some property damage and a traffic snarl that lasted for hours.
Several coal cars from a CSX train derailed in Spartanburg, SC spilling tons of coal and causing a traffic snarl on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
Spartanburg is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina in the northern part of the state about 203 miles northwest of Charleston, 93 miles northwest of Columbia and 29 miles northeast of Greenville.
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The derailment happened around 9:20 a.m. in the morning on a section of track between W Main and W Henry just west of S Daniel Morgan Ave. near a city waste transfer facility.
Map showing location of CSX coal train derailment in Spartanburg, SC near the rail crossing on W Henry between S Forest and S Daniel Morgan Ave.
The 110-car train was carrying a load of coal from Kentucky on its way to Georgia when the derailment occurred. A total of six cars derailed in the mishap. Four of the six cars overturned, spilling tons of coal and causing a traffic snarl for motorists in Spartanburg.
Some of the coal spilled into the parking lot of the nearby city solid waste transfer station. The derailment also damaged the tracks plus a section of the waste transfer facility’s fence.
Fortunately, no railroad workers were hurt and there were no injuries reported as a result of the incident. Also there were no hazardous materials involved and no evacuations had to be ordered.
Several roads near the site of the accident were closed as a result. Road traffic was blocked by the train at the rail crossings on W Main Street and W Henry as crews worked to clean up the spilled coal, put rail cars upright and repair the tracks. The rail crossings were cleared by around 2:10 p.m.
It is believed that a load may have shifted which caused the cars to jump the tracks, but the actual cause of the accident is not known at this time. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
Train maintenance crews and equipment were called in from Carthage and Pelzer, NC to clean up the debris and make repairs. Heavy equipment was moved in by semi truck and was lined up along West Henry.
FELA Lawyer News Blog is a FELA, train accident and personal injury blog that publishes up to date train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States. The Federal Employers ‘Liability Act, (FELA) allows injured railroad workers to recover compensation based on the negligence of the railroad company, in lieu of workers’ compensation. FELA defines negligence as the railroad company’s failure to use reasonable care.
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