Authorities work to clean up derailed train
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) - A 64-car cargo train that derailed late last night forced the closure of 5 railroad crossings but thankfully left no one injured.
The train derailed shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and blocked the intersection of Southwest 70th Avenue and 12th Street. It completely closed the road for the morning commute and remains closed at this time; it will most likely affect traffic into the evening while crews work to pick up the knocked over train cars and clean up the spilt rocks and sand on the roadways. Five additional train crossings were shut down as well but have since been reopened.
CSX representatives expect the scene to be cleaned up sometime this evening. However, they say it all depends if the tracks were heavily damaged before or after the accident. Authorities will not know how damaged the tracks are until the train cars are lifted and put back on the tracks by a crane.
The cargo train was on its way from Miami to Sterling Florida when four train cars derailed near Southwest 77th Avenue and 23rd Street. As crews were cleaning and moving the train an additional four cars derailed 11 blocks up at Southwest 70th Avenue and 12th Street.
The train derailed just feet between homes on one side and businesses on the other. Those who live and work along the tracks are thankful the accident did not damage property around the tracks. Yet, residents are scared that another and more dangerous derailment can occur.
"It's very scary," said Wilder Lebas through a translator. "I work and live around here. I work at the fabric shop right around the railroad tracks and now I am afraid that a train can come into the shop at any time."
As CSX authorities continue to upright the remaining cars, the rail line will not be operational.
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