Train Carrying Oil Derails Near Pittsburgh; Roads To Remain Closed

Pittsburgh PA

26 May, 2022

5:56 PM

Description

HARMAR, PA — Three people were injured when a train carrying oil derailed in Harmar on Thursday, sending multiple cars into a tributary of the Allegheny River and prompting officials to close the area as crews work to clean up the accident. The derailment occurred around 3:15 p.m. Thursday in the 2400 block of Freeport Road, Action News 4 reported. The crash happened after the train collided with a construction truck attempting to cross the tracks. The truck's driver and two locomotive operators were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. In all, 17 cars derailed and nine fell into Guys Run Creek, four of which were hauling crude oil. The other five cars were acting as buffers. Allegheny County Emergency Management told Action 4 News that any potential spill has been contained. Meanwhile, Freeport Road remains closed in both directions between the Hulton Bridge and Guys Run Road, according to the Post-Gazette. Officials told the newspaper the area will remain closed for several days as the cleanup effort continues into Memorial Day weekend. Traffic is detoured to Powers Run Road/Fox Chapel Road on the O'Hara side and to Guys Run Road on the Harmar side, according to PennDOT. Traffic crossing the Hulton Bridge from Oakmont is being directed toward O'Hara. The U.S. Coast Guard also closed the Allegheny River to boat traffic between Harmar and the Point in Pittsburgh, the Post-Gazette reported.