Company Behind Ohio Train Derailment Pulls Out Of Town Hall With Residents

Ben ZeisloftFebruary 16, 2023

Norfolk Southern, which is the company behind the train derailment In East Palestine OhioHours before the Wednesday town hall meeting with residents, officials from the firm announced that they would not be attending.

The public meeting was scheduled by local officials as residents continue to voice concerns about the February 3rd accident. All residents within one mile radius of the accident were evacuated by authorities. started To reduce the chance of an explosion, the volatile chemicals were controlled burned. Vinyl chloride, which is a carcinogenic substance and was found in five train cars, was released as massive plumes of dark smoke visible across eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania.

Officials changed the meeting to an information session with local and state representatives after residents had been promised a town-hall meeting. Report From The New York Times. The event was hosted at East Palestine High School gymnasium. Officials reportedly encouraged frustrated residents not to shout questions, and even booed them after they received unsatisfactory answers.

Norfolk Southern representatives pulled out of the event just hours before it started, citing safety concerns. “Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties,” In a statement, the company indicated that it was providing this information to multiple media outlets.

Residents reported a persistent smell, dead wildlife, farm animals and other worrisome health problems. One of the first responders said that they received a call from an Interview The Daily Wire: The experiences that he and his coworkers had “bad cough, headaches, sore throat, and diarrhea” After helping community members affected by the derailment.

According to a report, Norfolk Southern offered financial assistance to more than 1,000 households in the evacuation zone. The amount was more than $1.5 Million. Press release The company will be releasing the following Wednesday statement. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-OH (whose district includes East Palestine), noted in a Let me know Alan Shaw, CEO Norfolk Southern, said that compensation was not available for families who moved beyond the one mile radius.

“These concerned citizens are upset that they are not able to be reimbursed because they live just outside of the evacuation zone,” The lawmaker wrote. “The men and women I represent are rightfully concerned about their air, soil, and water being contaminated by harmful toxins.”

Norfolk Southern has released vinyl chloride. Beware According to the EPA, a number other volatile chemicals were found at the scene of the derailment. One train car that contains ethylene glycol monobutylether has been identified. “unknown status,” Norfolk Southern states that while the amount ethylhexylacrylate is still present in other cars, it is not enough to cause any harm. “pending.” After residents were informed that they could return home safely, the EPA published the complete list.

Investigators from National Transportation Safety Board are currently collecting and inspecting pieces of the train, which appear to have been damaged. Induced The crash.

“Surveillance video from a residence showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment,” In a press release, the agency stated. “The wheelset from the suspected railcar has been collected as evidence for metallurgical examination.”