Woman killed at IL ethanol train derailment scene

[RickG]

ROCKFORD, ILL - Eighteen rail cars, all containing highly flammable ethanol, left the tracks Friday in a fire explosion that killed one woman in Rockford Illinois, Northwest of Chicago.
Authorities have identified the victim as 41-year-old Zoila Tellez of Rockford Ill. Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia says her body was found face down on the ground about 20 feet from the back of her car. Authorities say she had abandoned her car at a rail crossing after the explosion.
Officials say three other people ran from the car and were severely burned. They're described as being in serious to critical condition.

Woman killed fleeing Ill. train derailment, blast | Comcast.net

This is a real problem with hazmat being shipped by rail . Hundreds , sometimes thousands of people have to be evacuated . The chemicals are usually allowed to burn off because there is no way to contain the fire .

 

[Dayripper]

hmm seems like the rail way does a shit load more damage than trucks do when something happens

 

[Roadmedic]

Woman killed fleeing Ill. train derailment, blast | Comcast.net

This is a real problem with hazmat being shipped by rail . Hundreds , sometimes thousands of people have to be evacuated . The chemicals are usually allowed to burn off because there is no way to contain the fire .

Sometimes you have to let the truck burn as well. Evacuation happens with the truck accidents as well. In fact, they closed both directions of the interstate for about 15 miles due to a hazmat fire.

 

[RickG]

Sometimes you have to let the truck burn as well. Evacuation happens with the truck accidents as well. In fact, they closed both directions of the interstate for about 15 miles due to a hazmat fire.

True , but the amount is much smaller and a truck is on the highway allowing easier and faster access .

 

[Roadmedic]

True , but the amount is much smaller and a truck is on the highway allowing easier and faster access .

Maybe and maybe not.

Trucks pass through some very unusual locations. Sometimes they go closer to the residential areas and if the accident happens, it could be worse.

Thankfully, the trains that roll through our fire district and those we have mutual aid with remain on the tracks.

The problem I see with trains is that the paperwork can be a long way away in the cab versus the truck. Either though can kill you.

 

[RickG]

Maybe and maybe not.

Trucks pass through some very unusual locations. Sometimes they go closer to the residential areas and if the accident happens, it could be worse.

Thankfully, the trains that roll through our fire district and those we have mutual aid with remain on the tracks.

The problem I see with trains is that the paperwork can be a long way away in the cab versus the truck. Either though can kill you.

That's something I learned to think about hauling hazmat . Another truck will tailgate me and I'll think "Don't you know what those placards mean ? " I realized they may not . Unless someone has hazmat training they pay no attention to placards . I think anyone getting any type of license should at least be required to know what placards signify . They should stay clear of it unless a driver is about to burn up in a fire or something and they should know to tell the 911 dispatcher the UN number on the placard .

 

[Roadmedic]

Imagine my surprise when a tanker loaded and placarded dropped the trailer on the empty lot next to my rental property in a residential area. I contacted the company concerning the dropped trailer. They were not the least interested in where it was or anything. They informed me that the driver had to leave the trailer somewhere and he was off.

Their tone changed when I identified myself as a trained Hazmat responder with the fire department and a licensed truck driver with hazmat endorsement and proceeded to read them the requirements concerning the hazmat rules.

The trailer was gone within the hour.

 

[RickG]

I had to get my tractor in the shop to get fault codes checked in Canada a while back . They sent me to a dealership with a lot so small they didn't have room to park the trailer . They told me to drop it "somewhere " . I don't think so . It was empty but unwashed so still placarded . I made it to another dealership .

 

[Larry]

It was empty but unwashed so still placarded . I made it to another dealership .

Even though it's empty it's still considered hazmat, the only time you can take off the placard and when it's not considered hazmat is whenever it's been cleaned at the tank wash.