Update 4.17.17, 1:30 pm:
MCKENDREE, W.Va. — Crews worked through the night to get the tracks where a CSX train crashed Monday operating again.
New River Gorge National River Spokesperson Julena Campbell said Tuesday that all of the 10 coal cars that derailed have been removed. The locomotive remains on its side between the tracks and the New River, but is not obstructing the railway.
Work continues today to remove the locomotive with cranes. CSX officials had to remove about 5,000 gallons of fuel from the engine. Campbell said the tracks were reopened at around 2 Tuesday morning.
Once the locomotive is removed, National Park Service officials will return to the site to repair damage to the river bank and ground surrounding the accident scene.
Update 4.16.18, 12:15 pm:
MCKENDREE, W.Va. — New River Gorge National River authorities have released more information on the train derailment.
Spokesperson at New River Gorge National River Julena Campbell told MetroNews affiliate WJLS they received initial reports of the crash just before 10 Monday morning.
“It sounds like that there was a slide, probably caused by all the wet weather, that slid across the tracks. Initially that’s looking like that’s what caused it.”
Campbell also said it was a CSX train and the locomotive is off of the tracks. 10 empty coal cars have also derailed. It is still unclear whether parts of the train are in the New River.
CSX officials, National Park Service Rangers and Fayette County fire crews are on the scene.
No injuries have been reported.
Original 4.16.18, 11:30 am:
MCKENDREE, W.Va. — Authorities are responding to a possible train derailment in the New River Gorge.
Fayette County dispatchers told MetroNews affiliate WJLS at around 11:10 Monday morning that crews had been dispatched to a rail line in the McKendree area.
The location is near Stretcher Neck Tunnel that goes between the communities of McKendree and Prince along the New River.
No further details are available at this time.
This story will be updated.