June 21, 2003

An eastbound CSX freight train derailed causing thirty-nine cars to leave the tracks. The derailment occurred at 8:47 PM, just north of the Lake Avenue crossing in Blasdell, New York. Although the train was hauling numerous tanker cars, none of the tanker cars left the tracks. Several refrigerator cars required the attention of HAZMAT crews to plug leaking diesel tanks. Several hundred gallons of diesel fuel escaped the tanks before HAZMAT crews could control the spill. Fortunately, most of the box cars involved in the derailment were empty.

The derailment caused extensive damage to the three sets of heavily traveled track. Crews from Washington, DC are responding to remove the damaged rail cars. In any given 24 hour period, approximately 70 trains use these tracks including Amtrak passenger trains.

Crews from the Big Tree and Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Companies joined with the Southtowns HAZMAT team to assist the Blasdell Volunteer Fire Company in handling the incident.