Town evacuated after Union Pacific train derails

[orleans]

Associated Press - January 7, 2008 8:54 PM ET

HARVARD, Ill. (AP) - Authorities in McHenry County say they've ordered the evacuation of 500 residents in the unincorporated town of Lawrence because of a potential hazardous materials situation.

Six rail cards of a Union Pacific train derailed this afternoon near the town. Railroad spokesman Mark Davis says one car that ended up on its side was a tank of ethylene oxide.

Ethylene oxide is a flammable material widely used to sterilize medical supplies. Davis says Union Pacific manager on the scene determined the tank did not have any leaks.

Police say no injuries were reported.

Davis says the cause of the accident is under investigation.

The train was traveling from North Lake, Illinois, to Janesville, Wisconsin.

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=7590818&nav=1sW7

[rosesaylavee]

1. Yikes.

Glad no one was hurt.

Amazing no one was hurt in the hurricane this afternoon too. We were lucky today.

[JoDog]

2. A close call

The tornado touched down about a mile north of where I live. Lucky me was home with a severe case of the stomach flu. Thankfully, I did not have to evacuate.