Propane Truck Collides With Train; 12 Hurt

A propane gas truck and a train carrying hazardous materials collided Friday in this west Texas city, forcing the evacuation of part of downtown, the courthouse and the jail, authorities said.

At least 12 people were taken to Eastland Hospital with injuries, spokeswoman Janice Krantz said. Six were released after treatment and one was transferred to an Abilene hospital, she said.

Four cars of the train, which was carrying hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric solution and sulfuric acid, derailed in the 9:30 a.m. accident near downtown, said Charlie Rose, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“We don’t know whether the train cars derailed and hit the truck or whether the truck crossed the tracks and caused the train to collide and derail,” Rose said.

“There was an explosion. There was a fire. There was toxic chemical leakage.”

All roads leading into the town were closed, Rose said.

The fire was contained after about two hours.

Fireman Robert Webb answered the phone at the county jail and said 17 prisoners were being evacuated.

“We’re within a mile radius so we’ve really got to go,” he said.

Gary Rose, an employee at the Wal-mart Discount Store located about a mile from the accident scene, said the explosion “sounded like a deep rolling thunder. It shook our building and flickered our lights.”