In a close call for Connecticut residents, a massive freight train derailed Thursday in Mansfield, carrying volatile liquid propane that sent cars crashing into Eagleville Lake. Operated by New England Central Railroad, the train’s 41 cars and two engines jumped the tracks beside the Willimantic River around 9 a.m., prompting immediate emergency response.
Fire Chief John Roche confirmed four propane-laden cars submerged in water, alongside two others that fully derailed. Additional cars spilled liquefied natural gas and food-grade grease. Despite the high-risk cargo, the chief reported zero casualties—a testament to swift local action.
A shelter-in-place order blanketed the half-mile perimeter, with instructions to shut windows against the odorless propane threat. No leaks surfaced by midday, but authorities maintained strict protocols. Road closures disrupted local traffic, rerouting commuters.
Cleanup faces steep odds in the rugged landscape. Crews are maneuvering cranes to the remote site, with Fire Chief Roche projecting multi-day operations. Environmental teams from the state DEEP installed hazmat booms in the lake, monitoring for contamination.
The event reignites debates on rail safety amid America’s aging infrastructure. Railroads haul millions of tons of hazmat yearly, and this incident underscores the perils near waterways. Federal regulators will probe the derailment’s root, as communities demand tougher safeguards for future hauls.
