Semi Truck Crashes into Norfolk Southern Train Causes Derailment in McBean, GA

September 27th, 2013 |

MCBEAN, GA – A Norfolk Southern train derailed on September 17, when a semi truck crashed into it in Burke County, GA. McBean is located in Richmond County, Georgia in the eastern part of the state. The accident site was in Burke County, GA near the Richmond County line about 17.6 miles southeast of Augusta.

Hazmat and emergency crews responding at the scene of a Norfolk Southern train derailment after a collision with a semi truck in McBean, GA on September 17, 2013. Photo credit: Michael Holahan / Augusta Chronicle

Hazmat and emergency crews responding at the scene of a Norfolk Southern train derailment after a collision with a semi in McBean, GA Sept. 17, 2013. Photo: Michael Holahan / Augusta Chronicle

The crash occurred around 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, when a semi truck traveling northwest on Mike Padgett Highwy collided with a Norfolk Southern train at the rail crossing.

Map shows location of a semi truck crash that derailed a Norfolk Southern train at the Mike Padgett Hwy rail crossing in McBean, GA in McBean, GA on September 17, 2013.

According to police, the crossing lights and arms were functioning at the time of the incident. It appears from one of the accident photos that the overhead lights on the southbound side of the highway got knocked down in the derailment.

The train had 2 locomotives and was pulling 38 rail cars and was heading southwest towards Savannah, GA from Linwood, NC. About 26 rail cars derailed in the mishap.

The mishap caused injuries but there are no details as to whether any railroad workers were injured or not.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

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