A Texas train derailed and caused a fatal collision with an 18-wheeler on Monday morning in East Texas, resulting in the death of the truck driver and the derailment of over a dozen train cars according to Fox News.
The accident happened in Splendora, a small town located approximately 40 miles north of Houston. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s office received multiple 911 calls about the incident around 7:24 a.m. First responders arrived at the scene to find the driver of the 18-wheeler already deceased, according to the Splendora Police Department. Fortunately, no one else was injured in the incident.
The East Montgomery Fire Department has confirmed that there is no current threat to the community related to the accident. This news comes after a recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which caused the release of toxic gases into the atmosphere, raising concerns about the potential hazards posed by this latest incident. Police have warned that it could take between eight and 15 hours to complete the cleanup and reopen all roads.
Union Pacific owns the derailed train, which has more than 6,400 miles of track running throughout Texas. The company has yet to respond to requests for comment on the incident. Unfortunately, train accidents are not uncommon, and they can have devastating consequences. While there have been some improvements in train safety over the years, it is clear that more needs to be done to prevent these types of accidents from happening.
This Texas train tragedy is a reminder of the need to continue working to improve railway safety for the benefit of all those who rely on trains for transportation and those who live in the communities they pass through. It is vital to ensure that the public is kept safe and that companies are held accountable for their role in preventing accidents on our railways.
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