COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — A train derailed in Columbia Tuesday afternoon, leading to road closures and evacuations.
The Columbia Police Department took to social media at approximately 12:12 p.m. alerting residents that "W. 7th Street and Trotwood Avenue between Blackburn Lane and Academy Lane are currently closed."
📧 Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts →
A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Transportation said the road closure is due to an "incident at the railroad crossing," adding that State Route 99 remains closed as well.
The Maury County Office of Emergency Management later confirmed to News 2 that five train cars derailed.
Columbia Academy announced they evacuated their campus as a precaution as cleanup efforts from the train derailment continue.
The Columbia Police Department has asked us to immediately evacuate the Columbia campus as a precaution prior to their clean-up efforts from the train derailment. Bus routes will depart the campus at 1:00 p.m. We ask that car rider parents please pick up as quickly as possible. If you are unable to make it, please communicate with the school office who will pick up your child. We will have no extended care today. We apologize for the inconvenience.
All on-campus after-school events are canceled today.
Please be advised that the campus cannot be approached from downtown on either West 7th St. or Trotwood. You may enter campus at both of those gates from the other direction.
The Spring Hill campus will continue school as normal with a normal dismissal time.
In addition to Columbia Academy, a business in the area — Columbia Taekwondo— said they were also advised to evacuate.
One of the carts is a propane tanker and we have been advised to evacuate. Due to this we are advising all after school program attendees to make arrangements to pick up students from school. We apologize for any unforeseen inconveniences. We will also be closed for classes this afternoon out of an abundance of caution and because there is no current timeframe as to when it will be fixed."
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said his team is monitoring the trail derailment, and called for people to join him in praying for "any potential victims."
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder added that no injures were reported, but "safety precautions and protocols are in place."
Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Officials are expected to hold a press briefing at 3 p.m. at Columbia Fire and Rescue Station 1 in regards to the train derailment.
No additional details were immediately released. News 2 has a crew on the way to the scene to learn more.
📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.
📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.
💻 Find today's top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.
This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/87FRkMG
No comments: