Three Norfolk Southern trains derail in Pennsylvania

Three Norfolk Southern trains derailed after a collision in eastern Pennsylvania that, so far, has not caused any injuries or released hazardous materials. 

The incident occurred near Easton, Pa., Saturday morning along the Lehigh River. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said an unknown number of cars from those trains have derailed. 

“Preliminary information indicates that an eastbound NS train struck a stopped NS train on the same track,” NTSB said in a statement to The Hill. “The wreckage from the striking train spilled onto an adjacent track and was struck by a westbound NS train. The collision led to the derailment of an unknown number of cars.” 

NTSB is sending a team of “experts in train operations, signals & train control, mechanical systems, and human performance” to assess the incident. They are expected to arrive later on Saturday.

Nancy Run Fire Company posted pictures on Facebook Saturday morning showing cars scattered off the tracks near the river. The photo shows one car being partially in the water. The train had tankers and boxcars, according to the photos. 

Norfolk Southern responded to the derailment, saying a “small diesel fuel leak” which is “common when locomotives are involved, has been contained with booms and will be vacuumed out,” in a statement to The Hill. Plastic pellets spilled mostly on the ground from one of the cars “which will also be cleaned up.”

In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Norfolk Southern added “There is no threat to the public, no hazardous material concerns from the railcars, and no reports of injuries to our crew members.”

The company said their crew members and contractors will be on the scene for the next few days to clean up. 

“We appreciate the quick, professional response by local emergency agencies,” Norfolk Southern said in a statement to The Hill. “We appreciate the public’s patience while they work as quickly, thoroughly, and as safely as possible. We are always working to advance safety.” 

The company said it will “work closely” with NTSB to “understand” how the incident occurred and to “prevent others like it.”

The accident occurred just over a year after a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio. The spill contributed to increased environmental and health issues and concerns in the area.

“People are still concerned about the cleanup efforts, making sure you actually clean up the community, they’re worried about the long-term health consequences,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) recently told The Hill.