Several freight train cars derailed onto the banks of the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania, spilling diesel fuel and plastic pellets into the water. The incident occurred in Lower Saucon Township, about 10 miles east of Allentown, on Saturday morning.
Fortunately, there were no evacuations, injuries, or leaks from any containers, according to Northampton County Emergency Management Services. The derailment caused two locomotives to end up on the river banks, with one partially submerged, and several container cars derailed.
Although some of the derailed cars were marked as holding hazardous material, they were found to be empty. Air monitoring is being conducted to ensure the safety of the area, and containment booms have been set up to capture the spilled fuel and plastic pellets.
The cause of the derailment is still unclear, and Norfolk Southern, the owner of the Lehigh Line where the incident occurred, has not yet commented on the situation. Members of the train crew were stranded on the river bank but were assisted in climbing up to the road.
The Lehigh River is a vital water source for hundreds of thousands of people and contributes to the drinking water supply for millions more as a tributary of the Delaware River. This incident raises concerns about the safety of freight transportation in the region, especially after a previous train derailment in Ohio in 2023.
As investigations continue into the cause of the derailment, residents in the area are reminded of the importance of safety measures in transporting hazardous materials.
