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Train derails near Summerfield
Published June 05. 2004 7:30AM
BY AUSTIN L. MILLER
AND MONICA BRYANT
STAFF WRITERS
SUMMERFIELD - Thirteen cars of a 28-car freight train derailed Friday night, blocking traffic on County Road 42. One car that might have caused some concerns - a tanker carrying phosphoric acid - did not jump off the track.
The derailment occurred just before 9 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 301 and CR 42, a mile-and-a-half north of the Sumter County line. There were no injuries. It is not clear what caused the derailment.
Phosphoric acid is used in the making of household cleaners and substances that can clean metal. It could burn skin if spilled, according to Heather Danenhower with Marion County Fire-Rescue. However, it was in powder form. It needs to be mixed with water to be used as a cleaner.
Cherie Skidmore, who works at a Shell station near the site, was outside changing the plastic liners in trash cans when she heard a noise and saw sparks flying. Then, she said, she watched as the train started to roll over.
She ran to the door of the station, yanked open the door and yelled, "Call 911!"
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The CSX train was headed south from Jacksonville to Tampa, with engineer David English, of Lake City, and conductor J.J. Spivey of Waycross, Ga., on board. The crew reported feeling an unusual tugging sensation at the rear of the train just before the derailment.
It is not clear what caused the derailment.
Bump and thanks for the FYI Oxen!