Why did a Norfolk Southern train derail in Ohio?
The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the derailment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Clean-up continues in East Palestine, Ohio, after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in the village, requiring the venting and burning of its cargo of flammable and hazardous vinyl chloride.
Federal and state agencies have been on scene assessing the environmental and health effects from the derailment, and political partisans have leapt on the opportunity to turn the crash into a soundbite.
The National Transportation Safety Board is in the midst of an investigation into the crash. It has released some preliminary reports, but a full report is likely still some time away.
The NTSB has already established that the immediate cause of the crash was the failure of a wheel bearing due to overheating.
"NTSB investigators have identified and examined the rail car that initiated the derailment. Surveillance video from a residence showed what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment. The wheelset from the suspected railcar has been collected as evidence for metallurgical examination," the agency said in its report. "The suspected overheated wheel bearing has been collected and will be examined by engineers from the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C."
Norfolk Southern’s $4m-a-year CEO dodges question on spending millions to lobby against new safety rule
Pennsylvania governor announces ‘criminal referral’ for Norfolk Southern in wake of Ohio train disaster
‘Pure political theater’: Lincoln Project overshadow Trump’s Ohio visit with video highlighting rail safety hypocrisy
What is currently unknown is if there is any reason why the stretch of rail that runs through East Palestine contributed to the train's mechanical failure.
The NTSB said it plans to release further information on the nature of the derailment during a media briefing on Thursday.
At least four other trains have derailed since the Ohio train derailment on 3 February.
In Houston, a train derailed on 13 February near Houston after it struck an 18-wheeler. The driver was killed in that accident.
A train in Detroit, also carrying hazardous materials, derailed on 16 February. No injuries were reported and none of the train's cars were breached.
Two other trains derailed as well, one in Delphos, Ohio, near Toledo, and another in Nebraska which was hauling coal.
While those numbers may seem shocking, the Federal Railroad Administration estimates that approximately 1,000 trains derail each year. The recent derailments have made headlines due to their proximity to the disastrous derailment in East Palestine.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments