Update Regarding Train Car Derailment in Laurens County

Cleanup Operations and Travel Updates

Laurens County continues to monitor the situation and receive regular updates regarding the train incident that occurred at 5:20am on the reported date. As the investigation continues, Laurens County has additional information provided below, as well as corrected information.

This is an active investigation and information is limited; however, updates will be released once they are provided.

 Corrected Information

The correct number of train cars that were involved is seventeen (17), rather than the initially reported number of twenty-one (21) train cars.

Updated Information

Regarding the white material that appears to have spilled from one of the train cars upon derailment, Laurens County was originally informed that this material was a plastic polymer. Upon further investigation conducted by CSX, it was discovered that the white material is sodium borate.

Sodium borate, which is a natural mineral compound commonly found in laundry detergent and is a non-hazardous material. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Greenwood County, please see the information below regarding sodium borate and cleanup operations:

“While elevated concentrations may affect sensitive vegetation and aquatic species and direct contact with large amounts of material could cause skin irritation, CSX is actively removing the material through cleanup operations designed to prevent potential impacts to the surrounding environment.

At this time, we do not believe any material from the spill has reached Lake Greenwood. Greenwood County is working closely with the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to remain informed and provide updates on cleanup efforts. A DES inspector is on-site and will remain throughout the cleanup process.

CSX crews are actively conducting cleanup operations using mechanical equipment, including a skid steer and vacuum truck, to safely remove the material from the derailment area. A containment boom will also be deployed in the water as a precautionary measure to help ensure there are no residual impacts.”

CSX has begun repairs to the damaged trestle, which includes constructing a stone cofferdam this evening. CSX plans to install a turbidity curtain to contain any material displaced during construction, which is not related to the material spilled. This measure is implemented solely to facilitate trestle repairs.

Travel Instructions

Whitten Road is now passable and citizens may travel freely. Please be advised that the roadway leading from the train tracks on Whitten Road to Fellowship New Cut Road may be congested with large trucks and equipment until the railway is repaired. We encourage citizens to use caution when crossing the railroad tracks and traveling on Whitten Road. Please allow extra time when traveling, as it may take longer to reach your destination.

With the roadway passable, Laurens County personnel are no longer staging at the incident location. Emergency service vehicles can travel along Whitten Road. We kindly ask citizens to be patient as personnel responding to the southernmost area of Whitten Road may experience longer response times.

Photo credit: Greenwood County