Georgia town briefly evacuated after rail cars, some carrying propane, derail and fall off overpass onto highway

  • CSX Railroad said four of the cars that derailed held petroleum liquefied gas 
  • 'Practically the whole town,' was evacuated at first, a local fire chief said
  • Byromville, Georgia, has a total population of only about 500 people 

By MICHAEL NAM, US CONSUMER REPORTER and ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

A jumble of rail cars crashed onto a Georgia highway on Saturday, causing an evacuation and traffic headaches but resulting in no injuries.

CSX Railroad said 30 cars derailed. That included some that fell from the overpass onto Highway 90 at Byromville, roughly 55 miles south of Macon.

It happened around 7am Saturday in the town with a population of about 500.

CSX Railroad said the cars derailed around 7 a.m. Saturday in Byromville, roughly 55 miles south of Macon, Georgia

CSX Railroad said the cars derailed around 7 a.m. Saturday in Byromville, roughly 55 miles south of Macon, Georgia

In an emailed news release, CSX said four of the cars held petroleum liquefied gas, also called propane, but no leaks were reported.

The Dooly County Sheriff eventually reported that, 'CSX hazmat team says there are no leaks and no need for further evacuation.' 

Byromville fire chief Brett Walls told WMAZ-TV there was an early call for an evacuation within a mile of the site due to the potential of the odorless fuel leaking in the area.

'If you know the town of Byromville, that's practically the whole town,' he elaborated.


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This photo provided by Stephanie Chapman shows emergency personnel working the scene of a train derailment on Saturday on Highway 90 in Byromville

This photo provided by Stephanie Chapman shows emergency personnel working the scene of a train derailment on Saturday on Highway 90 in Byromville

Resident Stephanie Chapman said she was on a deer stand more than a mile from town when it happened.

'You could hear the rail cars hitting each other - boom-boom-boom-boom-boom,' Chapman told The Associated Press.  

Chapman said the evacuation the perimeter was quickly reduced, and she was able to go to her office approximately 300 yards from the site by midday.

'Crews are working to re-rail the cars without damage and remove the derailed railcars with damage from the area as quickly and safely as possible,' a CSX statement said.

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