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Bensalem train derailment: Videos show carriages in disarray near Neshaminy Falls; shelter-in-place ordered
A freight train derailed near Neshaminy Falls Station in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, prompting a shelter-in-place as hazmat crews responded.
Update: The shelter-in-place alert around the train derailment in Bensalem Tuesday was lifted after two hours of the incident. According to local news outlet Phillyburbs, authorities determined that no hazardous material has leaked due to the accident.
The report said that the shelter-in-place order was lifted around 4:30pm local time and businesses in the area were allowed to reopen.
"At this time, it is deemed safe. There is no threat to public safety," Bensalem Public Safety Director William McVey said, adding that "the evacuation order is lifted [and] everyone can return to their homes and businesses in the affected area."
Original story: A freight train with CSX derailed near Neshaminy Falls station near Bensalem Township in Pennsylvania's Bucks County on Tuesday afternoon. A shelter-in-place was issued in the nearby areas where the derailment took place as hazmat crew and local fire officers attended to the scene.
NBC 10 Philadelphia reports that there are no injuries. But hazmat crews as assessing a potential hazardous materials situation, which sparked the preventive evacuation order. At least 13 freight carriages derailed, the report confirmed citing officials. As of now, it is unclear what material was inside the carriages that derailed.
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Meanwhile, videos showed multiple carriages in disarray on the track following the derailment. Here's a drone footage of the incident shared by the X account Rapid Report:
According to local media, the residents of Bensalem Township and the nearby areas received a notification saying that potential exposure to the material could cause breathing difficulties, loss of coordination and burning sensation in the eyes, nose, throat and the lungs.
Here's another video shared by Action News ABC on X:
Additionally, residents were asked to stay indoors and keep their air conditioners switched off.
Police and emergency officials are expected to give more updates on the situation at a media staging later on Tuesday. The staging has been scheduled at the nearby Neshaminy Mall.
Bensalem Township is located in the southeastern part of Bucks County, just northeast of Philadelphia. It sits along the Delaware River.
