11/30/2012

Dozens hospitalized after train derails near Philadelphia

NBC10.com

A derailed train just outside Philadelphia, Pa., is leaking vinyl chloride, a colorless, organic gas with a sweet odor.

By Kelly Bayliss, NBC10.com

Emergency crews are on the scene of a train derailment and hazardous material spill in New Jersey.

Gloucester Office of Emergency Management confirmed that a Conrail trail derailed on a Conrail Bridge just after 7 a.m. Friday near Commerce Street in Paulsboro, Gloucester County, just outside Philadelphia, Pa.

Four of the train's cars were dumped into Mantua Creek and one of them is leaking vinyl chloride, a colorless, organic gas with a sweet odor, according to Conrail spokesperson John Enright.

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An unknown number of people have been transported from the scene, all complaining of respiratory problems. Five of those people have been transported to Underwood Memorial Hospital."

Officials confirm that some of the injured are workers from the Paulsboro Marine Terminal.

 PHOTOS: Paulsboro Train Derailment

Emergency Management is demanding all Paulsboro residents stay inside and close all windows and door until further notice.

Paulsboro School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Scambia told NBC10 that 50 students from all three of the district's schools are in lockdown inside the gymnasium at the high school.

He says that parents will be updated with new information by phone message blasts.

The Fire Department has evacuated all employees on Commerce Street.

"The whole day is a wash," Doug Ricotta, owner of D&D Italian Bakery, told NBC10. "Everything's shutdown."
 
Roadways leading into Paulsboro are closed.

"They're blocking off all the roads near here. They're making everyone get off the main arteries," NBC10 photographer Mike Spatocco said.

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