DACUS, Texas — Clean-up is in progress following the weekend derailment of 31 cars of a BNSF Railway train of crushed limestone in the small town of Dacus.
No injuries were reported.
There is some disagreement between the railroad and local officials over the reporting of the incident. BNSF told KTRK-TV on Monday that it notified authorities of the derailment within 10 minutes after it happened late Saturday. However, the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said that while the county sheriff’s office was informed, the responding deputy was told it involved four to five railcars and cleanup would begin during the day.
“At daybreak, when it was obvious more than five cars derailed, no update from BNSF came to any agencies or the state,” the county office said in a statement.
BNSF told the station it followed all necessary protocols for an incident on company property with no hazardous materials, and believed its notification was sufficient since no emergency response was necessary.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
Dacus is about 55 miles north-northwest of downtown Houston.
Clean up near I-45 in Texas. Get out the big broom!
ref. article:…….”the responding deputy was told it involved four to five railcars and cleanup would begin during the day.”
Does “responding deputy” mean he went out there? If he was told 5 cars, can’t he count, and report back to authorities? endmrw0516231550
Too many damn government authorities. If they can’t be responsible and communicate between themselves, then don’t blame the railroad.
However, there is a big difference between a 5 car derail event and a 31 car event. And were any crossroads blocked becuase of it? Did it impede any first responders for other emergencies?