2015 Tennessee train derailment

On July 2, 2015, a CSX Transportation freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed at Maryville, Tennessee. The train was traveling from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waycross, Georgia.[2] It comprised two locomotives and 57 freight cars,[3] at least two of which were carrying acrylonitrile.[2] Other railcars in the consist were carrying LPG.[4] Three of the railcars were reported to have caught fire. An evacuation of all within a 1 mile (1.6 km) radius was ordered.[5] The evacuation zone was later extended to 2 miles (3.2 km),[2] affecting over 5,000 people.[2] Those evacuated were offered accommodation at the Heritage High School, where Red Cross personnel provided assistance, or at the Foothills Mall.[6] Roads closed included U.S. Route 321.[5] Fifty-two people were injured by inhaling fumes from the chemicals on the train.[3] Twenty-five of them,[7] including seven police officers, were hospitalized at the Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville.[3][5]

CSX said it was helping residents find lodging. They also said there were at least three cars carrying the chemical, although only one was burning.[8]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not opened an investigation into the accident, although that option remains open to them.[3]

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) lists a report from CSX stating that the cause of the accident was an overheated journal or roller bearing. It also states the number of injured as 197 and total damages as $272,000.[1]