HIRAM, Ga. — A late Saturday night train derailment in downtown Hiram has one of the city’s main arteries shut down at least through Monday according to the Hiram Police Department.
A Norfolk Southern locomotive pulling an 88 car train overturned around 10:30 p.m. Saturday on Main Street between Railroad Street and Beatty Street blocking traffic and closing roads downtown.
According to Norfolk Southern, two crew members riding in the lead locomotive, which overturned, were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries before being released early Sunday morning. The company said the other two locomotives pulling the train remained upright.
The Atlanta based train company released a statement to Channel 2 Action News Sunday morning:
First responders and our team are on-site and clean-up has already begun. We’re extremely grateful for the quick response from Hiram Police and Fire and Paulding County Fire Rescue in helping our crew and ensuring safety at the scene. Our two crew members have been released from the hospital and we’re grateful their injuries were minor. Our investigation into the cause of this derailment is already underway, and we will report our findings to the Federal Railroad Administration as soon as they are ready.
Norfolk Southern did say some diesel fuel spilled from the locomotive but it was contained to their right-of-way. The company added that no environmental impact should be expected and there is no threat to the community.
Police are telling anyone traveling towards downtown Hiram to avoid Main Street from Highway 92 to Church Street. They said the access roads from Highway 92 to Beatty Street will also be blocked off.