A series of Norfolk Southern trains collided and derailed near Easton, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The incident occurred at 7:15 a.m. in Lower Saucon Township, according to a release from the township’s police department, with no injuries reported among the crews of the three trains involved.
Initial assessments by the NTSB revealed that an eastbound Norfolk Southern train struck a stationary train. Subsequently, a westbound Norfolk Southern train collided with the combined wreckage, as CNBC reported.
The collision resulted in diesel fuel leakage into the river, while plastic pellets spilled from one of the overturned train cars. However, authorities assured that the derailment did not pose any hazardous threat to local residents.
Norfolk Southern, addressing the situation, stated on X that their crews and contractors would remain on-site in the upcoming days for cleanup operations. The company emphasized its ongoing commitment to safety, promising to thoroughly investigate the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the collision and derailment of three Norfolk Southern trains near Easton, Pennsylvania, Saturday morning. https://t.co/p5cGNubMO0
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 2, 2024
In response to the derailment, Ancora Holdings, an activist investor seeking to remove Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, expressed concern for the crew and residents of Lower Saucon Township. With a $1 billion stake in the company, Ancora Holdings conveyed their hopes for everyone’s safety amidst yet another Norfolk Southern train derailment, as per the report.
This incident follows a previous derailment involving a Norfolk Southern train in February 2023, which resulted in a chemical leak into waterways and soil. The deliberate burning of derailed cars emitted toxic vinyl chloride fumes into the atmosphere.
