Bridge Collapse And Train Derailment Leads To Closures, Chaos In Indiana Co.
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
CLYMER, Pa. (KDKA) -- Rail traffic was halted and road traffic detoured after a bridge collapse and train derailment in Indiana County Wednesday morning.
The collapse and derailment were first reported around 9 a.m. on the Cherryhill and Green Townships border, near Clymer. State police say State Route 1014 is shut down.
The closure begins at the intersection of Starford Road and ends at Cookport Road in Green Township, according to state police.
Tressel replacement will likely take months, with Wandin Road likely to be closed just as long.
State police, railroad authorities, and fire department personnel were on the scene Wednesday.
According to the authorities working at the scene, the Norfolk Southern Railroad train was hauling coal to a power plant in Clymer. It makes trips to and from that plant daily.
The view from Newschopper 2 shows the trains crunched where the bridge gave way. At least one train car looks to be on its side. Authorities say five cars derailed in total.
There was debris all over the road at Wandin and Pine Flats Roads. Authorities on the scene helped to redirect traffic.
To detour, PennDOT is advising drivers to take State Route 240 to State Route 286, then State Route 1012 (Starford Road).
State police are urging people who travel in that area to check out 511pa.com for updates on the cleanup process and detour alternatives.
INDIANA COUNTY: Train derailment/bridge collapse. Area of Wandin Rd./Starford Rd. near Cherryhill Twp./Green Twp. line. No injuries reported. Troopers are on-scene and will be assisting railroad authorities and fire personnel with traffic control. Expect traffic detour(s).
— Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) November 25, 2020
KDKA's Ross Guidotti reports that someone was reportedly driving under the bridge as it began to collapse.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Investigators are working to determine if the bridge collapse cause the train derailment or vice versa. It is expected to take some time.
