BATAVIA, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities in western New York are looking into whether Wednesday’s hurricane-force winds were a factor in the derailment of a freight train that was hauling gun powder.
CSX says 12 cars derailed around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in the town of Batavia, about midway between Buffalo and Rochester.
The company says the cars were carrying a variety of goods including black powder. None of the loads spilled and no injuries were reported.
The company says the 29-car train, with two locomotives and a crew of two, was heading from Chicago to Montreal at the time of the derailment, which occurred when fierce winds were tearing across western New York.
The National Weather Service says a wind gust of 76 mph was recorded in Batavia a few hours after the derailment.
CSX crews are working Thursday to clear the derailment scene.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.