Lynchburg officials say yesterday’s train derailment involved 15 CSX tanker cars, each carrying 30,000 gallons of crude oil. It happened near the intersection of 9th and Jefferson streets along the James River. Four cars caught fire. Three ended up in the river, with one spilling all of its contents and another losing about two-thirds. There’s no word on how much oil burned off and how much seeped into the river . Authorities are still assessing the environmental impact. There were no reports of injuries.
Yesterday’s train derailment and fire took place right in front of many surprised people who live, work, or visit the Lower Basin area along the James River. Countless people got their cellphones and cameras out — and dramatic images of the derailment and fire quickly spread around Lynchburg. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.
