A Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad freight train derailed in East Aurora, New York on Monday evening. According to the East Aurora Police Department, twelve empty tanker cars and three locomotives – including the lead locomotive – left the track at the intersection of Main St. and Elm St.
Approximately 1000 gallons of diesel fuel has leaked from the lead locomotive. There were no injuries reported but 41 homes were evacuated as a precaution. Susan Clapp, a local resident, said “My house and windows were shaking so bad it sounded like a plane coming down and we ran. The diesel smell was strong.”
East Aurora Police Chief Shane Krieger stated “The only fluid leaking from the train right now was diesel from the engine that was completely off the tracks. That has been contained…There is a switch that controls the track in the area, we don’t know if that had any part of it, but there is no formal indication of a cause for the incident.”
