LAGRANGE, GA : 1 struck and killed, train derails in LaGrange on Tuesday , 6th September 2016

One person was struck and killed by a train, causing an accident that made the train derail in LaGrange late Tuesday evening.

According to the LaGrange Police Department, a 14-year-old male intentionally stepped in front of the train and was killed.

The investigation further revealed that the train performed an emergency braking procedure that led to the derailment. The train derailed at Vernon Street and Old Roanoke Road, commonly known as Lee's Crossing, in front of Gordy's Hardware Store in LaGrange at 11:13 pm on Tuesday.

CSX Corporate Communications spokesperson released this statement, saying:

CSX personnel are coordinating with Troup County and LaGrange Police to respond to a derailment in LaGrange, Ga. CSX's first priority is the safety of the responders, the community, and CSX personnel. We are working to clear the area as quickly and safely as possible to minimize the impact on surrounding businesses and the community.

At 11:15 PM on Tuesday, September 6, a CSX train struck a pedestrian on the railroad tracks near Jefferson Street and Vernon Street in LaGrange. The crew applied the emergency brakes resulting in the derailment of five rail cars. The derailed cars include three empty cars, one loaded box car carrying timber and one loaded tank car carrying molten sulphur. No product was released from either loaded car.

As of 9 AM Wednesday morning, Vernon Street remains closed. Several businesses in the area are also temporarily closed. Overnight the rail cars that were not involved in the derailment were moved from the area. CSX is working to re-rail the last derailed car this morning.

CSX's sympathies are with those affected by this tragic accident. We appreciate the LaGrange community's patience as we work to restore the area.

The train was traveling from Birmingham, Alabama to Waycross, Georgia, had five locomotives, 113 loaded cars carrying various types of freight and 18 empty rail cars.

Source :
1 struck and killed, train derails in LaGrange