CSX cleaning up after trains collide in central Florida

CSX is continuing cleanup efforts in Citra, Fla., where two of its trains collided and derailed yesterday, the Class I announced.

The incident occurred at about 4:15 a.m. yesterday, when a CSX train transporting phosphate rock collided with a second CSX train loaded with coal near the Pine Church Road crossing in Citra. A total of 32 cars derailed. Neither train was carrying hazardous materials, CSX said in a press release.

Two CSX crew members were treated for minor injuries.

CSX environmental experts estimated 7,400 gallons of fuel were released from three locomotives. Work is focusing on containing and removing the fuel.

The phosphate train was traveling from Mulberry, Fla., to Chicago with three locomotives and 100 loaded phosphate cars. The coal train was traveling from Pembroke, Ky., to Tampa, Fla., with three locomotives and 110 loaded cars of coal.

Cleanup efforts are expected to continue for several days. The cause of the collision is under investigation.