By Jeff Ward, 69 News

LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Part of a Norfolk Southern freight train went off the tracks in Northampton County on Saturday. The derailment sent two locomotives down an embankment and partially into the Lehigh River some 6 miles southeast of Bethlehem, PA

The incident was reported around 7:15 a.m. near the 2200 block of Riverside Drive in the Steel City section of Lower Saucon Township.

During a news conference that was streamed live on WFMZ.com at 11 a.m., officials said that diesel fuel had spilled into the Lehigh River but that the spill had been contained. Polypropylene pellets were also leaking from one of the train’s cars.

Officials said they believe three trains were involved in the derailment, but they did not say what caused it.

Norfolk Southern is on site and working to assess the situation.

No injuries were reported, and there was no hazardous materials threat to the public, officials said.

Click to read the full story

If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Verified by MonsterInsights