People living near a railroad line in Susquehanna County are back in their homes after being forced out by a train leaking a hazardous chemical.
Debbie Spickerman heard the emergency call come across her home scanner in Hop Bottom just after 9 a.m. Saturday morning. She was so nervous and surprised about what she heard, she alerted her family
"It was scary. It was real scary," said Spickerman. "I woke my husband right up. I said, 'I got to get stuff ready for the baby. We have to get out of here,' especially with the chemicals, and not knowing."
A toxic chemical leak, reportedly hydrogen chloride gas, leaked from a train car. The tracks run parallel to route 11 in Susquehanna County. Investigators said that a chemical alarm along the tracks detected the leak. Officials credit the device for preventing what could have been a major accident.
The train's engineer was taken to the hospital for treatment. Bystanders said he was complaining of burning and itching skin.
Route 11 between Hop Bottom and Kingsley was closed for several hours. Drivers were sent on a detour
Residents said there were some tense moments.
"I was listening to the scanner and the guy that runs the train said when he came around the corner in Kingsley, he could see the cloud up in the air. So, he put the brakes on and he ended up stopping up here," said John Spickerman of Hop Bottom.
The train tracks run just a couple hundred feet behind several homes. The residents were taken from their homes and sent down the road to wait out the situation. Those who live there are just happy that everyone is safe. They said they hope not to have any more close calls for sometime.
Crews from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, along with the railroad company, are still investigating how the leak occurred.
Route 11 reopened several hours after the leak was contained.
Debbie Spickerman heard the emergency call come across her home scanner in Hop Bottom just after 9 a.m. Saturday morning. She was so nervous and surprised about what she heard, she alerted her family
"It was scary. It was real scary," said Spickerman. "I woke my husband right up. I said, 'I got to get stuff ready for the baby. We have to get out of here,' especially with the chemicals, and not knowing."
A toxic chemical leak, reportedly hydrogen chloride gas, leaked from a train car. The tracks run parallel to route 11 in Susquehanna County. Investigators said that a chemical alarm along the tracks detected the leak. Officials credit the device for preventing what could have been a major accident.
The train's engineer was taken to the hospital for treatment. Bystanders said he was complaining of burning and itching skin.
Route 11 between Hop Bottom and Kingsley was closed for several hours. Drivers were sent on a detour
Residents said there were some tense moments.
"I was listening to the scanner and the guy that runs the train said when he came around the corner in Kingsley, he could see the cloud up in the air. So, he put the brakes on and he ended up stopping up here," said John Spickerman of Hop Bottom.
The train tracks run just a couple hundred feet behind several homes. The residents were taken from their homes and sent down the road to wait out the situation. Those who live there are just happy that everyone is safe. They said they hope not to have any more close calls for sometime.
Crews from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, along with the railroad company, are still investigating how the leak occurred.
Route 11 reopened several hours after the leak was contained.
