2015 Tennessee train derailment

On July 2, 2015, a CSX Transportation freight train carrying hazardous materials from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Waycross, Georgia derailed in Maryville, Tennessee.^[2] It was composed of two locomotives and 57 freight cars,^[3] at least two of which were carrying acrylonitrile.^[2] Other railcars in the consist were carrying LPG.^[4] Three of the railcars were reported to have caught fire. Authorities ordered an evacuation of everyone within a 1 mile (1.6 km) radius.^[5] The evacuation zone was later extended to 2 miles (3.2 km),^[2] affecting over 5,000 people.^[2] Those evacuated were offered accommodation at the Heritage High School, where Red Cross personnel provided assistance, or at the Foothills Mall.^[6] Roads closed included U.S. Route 321.^[5] Fifty-two people were injured by inhaling fumes from the chemicals on the train.^[3] Twenty-five of them,^[7] including seven police officers, were hospitalized.^[3][5]

CSX said it was helping residents find lodging. They also said there were at least three cars carrying the chemical, although only one was burning.^[8]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) did not open an investigation into the accident, although that option remained open to them.^[3] At the time, NTSB spokespersons reported they would monitor the situation and could send an investigator later depending on new developments but never did.^[9]

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) lists a report from CSX stating that the cause of the accident was an overheated journal or roller bearing. It also states the number of injured as 197 and total damages as $272,000.^[1]