Swaney: Freight train derailment still under investigation

Posted on February 17, 2021
The train derailment happened early Saturday morning between Fell Street and Vernon Avenue in Normal. (Scott Miller/WJBC)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Emergency crews in Normal have been busy the last week. Everything from a train derailment, an accidental apartment fire, and winter weather.

Normal Fire Department spokesperson Matt Swaney provided an update on last weekend’s train derailment near Illinois State University.

“It is still under investigation,” Swaney told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “They are still working to clear the mess up from the derailment. It will probably be a while before we hear anything specifically about the cause.”

“It was certainly a mess and we were just fortunate it wasn’t any worse,” Swaney added.

Nobody was injured and there was no hazardous material involved.

Union Pacific crews laid down a temporary track and one line has reopened for service, said Swaney.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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