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2.1.1 Narrative
At approximately 2:15 am, a CSX train collided with several stationary cars on a siding at a chemical facility in rural Allendale County, South Carolina, near the town of Martin. The CSX train was somehow steered onto the siding and was unable to stop before striking the tanker cars. Nine (9) rail cars and the locomotive were derailed. Though the train itself carried no hazardous materials, it struck six (6) tanker cars which were carrying hazardous materials.
One of the cars was an empty tanker previously containing a dye product. There was no release of this material. Four other cars contained a sodium hydroxide solution. Only one was damaged in the accident, and an estimated 20 gallons of material was lost. The most damaged tanker was carrying 20,000 gallons of a 37% hydrochloric acid solution. This tanker lost an estimated 19,000 gallons of material directly to the ground. Additionally, one locomotive lost a fuel tank, and an estimated 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel was discharged into a wetland area.
EPA mobilized two On-Scene Coordinators, START contractors, and QSI equipment contractors to the scene. The OSC integrated into Unified Command.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
1/28/2015
Unified Command met this morning to discuss objectives and tactics. Law enforcement accident investigation was completed over night. EPA and START deployed Viper. Although operating, Viper coverage is transient due to limited cell and satellite coverage. CSX has mobilized air monitoring contractor, CRA Environmental to conduct work place air monitoring.
The diesel from the locomotive discharged into a wetland area adjacent to the facility. This wetland flows into Lower Three Runs Creek, which eventually empties into the Savannah River. An estimated 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel entered the wetland. Approximately 5 acres of bottomland hardwood swamp is impacted by the diesel fuel. The sheen extends to at least one half mile from the spill site. HEPACO has placed boom at the outflow from the swamp into Lower Three Runs Creek, at the outflow of Three Runs Creek into the Savannah River, and at an intermediate point between the swamp and the Savannah River. An improvised dam constructed of logs was built to impede surface flow. Additional containment boom will be placed in Lower Three Runs Creek on 1/29/2015.
The hydrochloric acid spilled on the south side of the industry rail. The water takes a different drainage path but does flow eventually into Lower Three Runs Creek. EPA and START pH’d several areas and found the water pH was 1. Plans are being discussed for an application of sodium bicarbonate or a calcium carbonate slurry to neutralize the plume. CSX contractors are currently working on a delineation plan for the low-pH plume. During the evening of 1/28/2015, a culvert draining low pH water into Lower Three Runs Creek was being dammed to prevent further release into the creek.
CSX is still attempting to upright and remove the damaged cars, but progress has been slow. Because of the delay, CSX has been unable to move a high-rail vacuum truck in close enough to offload the remaining HCl left on the damaged tanker. CSX may consider neutralizing in place.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
CSX
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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