Freight train derails in Connecticut, sending cars carrying liquid propane into river

Freight Train Derails in Connecticut, Propane Cars Plunge into Waterway

A freight train derailed Thursday morning in Mansfield, Connecticut, sending several rail cars carrying flammable liquid propane into a local waterway where Eagleville Lake meets the Willimantic River.

According to Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache, the incident occurred around 9 a.m. when multiple cars from the 41-car train detached and left the tracks. Four cars containing liquid propane ended up submerged in water, while two additional cars carrying food grade grease came to rest along the banks.

One of the grease-carrying cars sustained damage and leaked approximately 2,000 gallons of animal fat, but Roache confirmed that the spill has been contained and there’s no evidence the substance entered the water. Officials reported no injuries resulting from the derailment.

“Fortunately, it seems under control,” said Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth, who noted that preliminary assessments indicate no serious environmental damage has occurred. As a precautionary measure, state and local hazardous materials teams have deployed hazmat booms in the water and are continuously monitoring for potential leaks from the propane tanks.

Local authorities have implemented a shelter-in-place order for residents within a half-mile radius of the accident site. The order remained in effect late Thursday, with officials emphasizing that no evacuations have been mandated. Residents were urged to stay indoors as a safety precaution since liquid propane is odorless and would not be immediately detectable by smell if a leak were to develop.

The rural town of Mansfield, home to the University of Connecticut, also closed a nearby road and considered alternative bus routes for school dismissal in response to the incident.

The train, operated by New England Central Railroad, was traveling south from Palmer, Massachusetts, to Willimantic when the derailment occurred. Tom Ciuba, a spokesperson for the railroad, stated that specialized equipment was expected to arrive Thursday evening to begin the complex process of recovering and rerailing the affected cars.

Recovery operations face significant challenges due to the remote location of the derailment and the current winter conditions. “It’s not going to be a today operation,” Roache explained. “They’re going to have to get some cranes in there. It’s going to take some time.”

The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.

This incident occurs amid heightened public concern over rail safety following several high-profile derailments across the United States in recent years, including the February 2023 disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, which prompted evacuations and raised serious environmental concerns.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 1,164 train derailments nationwide in 2022, with hazardous materials releases occurring in approximately 1.4% of those incidents. Industry experts note that while rail transportation of hazardous materials maintains a generally strong safety record compared to other transportation methods, accidents involving dangerous cargo can pose significant risks to nearby communities and ecosystems.

The freight rail industry has faced increasing pressure from regulators and safety advocates to implement additional safeguards, particularly for trains carrying hazardous materials through populated areas. These include enhanced inspection protocols, improved tank car standards, and more sophisticated tracking systems for hazardous cargo.

As recovery efforts continue in Mansfield, local officials have promised to provide regular updates to affected residents regarding the status of containment measures and the eventual removal of the derailed cars.