BNSF Train Derailment Leaks Hazardous Material in Longview TX

September 10th, 2013 |

LONGVIEW, TX – Two rail tankers, containing hazardous material, jumped the tracks and overturned, causing a spill after a BNSF train derailed in Longview, TX. The city of Longview is located in Gregg County, (and partly in Harrison County) in the eastern part of the state.

Map shows location of BNSF tanker car derailment near Gum Springs Rd between E Cotton St and S Eastman Rd on September 8, 2013.

Map shows location of BNSF tanker car derailment near Gum Springs Rd between E Cotton St and S Eastman Rd in Longview, Texas on September 8, 2013.

The derailment occurred in a BNSF rail yard in Gregg County, Longview, TX at around 12:30 p.m. just after noon on September 8, 2013 while switching tracks. The incident caused a partial road closure on Gum Springs Rd South of East Cotton St and west of S Eastman Rd near the rail yard.

A HazMat crew from the Longview Fire Department was dispatched to the scene to clean up the leak. There were no railroad worker injuries reported at the time of the accident.

The material that spilled contained molten resin like tar used in road surfacing.

The train was on its way to Memphis, TN from Dayton, TX.

The incident remains under investigation.

Blog post by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and Texas railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.