A freight train derailment in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday prompted authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents as emergency crews rushed to assess the potential danger from overturned rail cars.
The derailment occurred at approximately 1:59 p.m. ET and involved a CSX train, CSX media relations manager Jonathan Stuckey told Newsweek.
“A CSX train derailed multiple cars near the crossing of East Bristol Road and Grave Avenue in Trevose, Pennsylvania,” Stuckey said. “Bucks County Emergency Management was immediately notified and is responding to the scene. There were no injuries reported. Our primary focus is on the safety of onsite personnel, the surrounding community, and the environment.”
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According to Bensalem police, officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and hazardous materials teams responded to the scene between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls train station after multiple freight cars derailed. Police initially reported that between five and 10 train cars had derailed and said authorities were working to determine what the train was carrying. Stuckey did not confirm if any hazardous materials were being transported by the train. Residents in the area were urged to remain indoors and avoid the scene while crews evaluated the risk.
“CSX crews are currently on scene and working as safely and quickly as possible to restore the impacted site,” Stuckey said. “The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. We will provide more information as it becomes available.”
Pennsylvania Train Derailment Map
A map of the incident places the derailment near the Neshaminy Falls station in Bensalem Township, northeast of Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Train Derailment Video
Video posted to social media showed numerous rail cars off the tracks.
Train derailments involving freight cars can pose significant hazards, particularly when authorities do not yet know what a train is transporting. Even without a fire or visible spill, overturned cars may contain chemicals, fuels or other materials that could threaten nearby communities, waterways or air quality. That risk often leads officials to issue shelter-in-place advisories while hazmat teams identify the cargo and determine whether any hazardous substances have been released.
This is a breaking story. Updates to follow.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant and Sam Wilson.