SELLERS, S.C. — A significant freight train derailment in one South Carolina community is causing significant detours for drivers heading through the area.
According to CSX, one of its trains derailed around 5 a.m. Saturday morning in Marion County. The rail company said there were no hazardous chemicals on the train and no injuries to the train crew. CSX said 11 derailed cars were empty, and six carried wood chips.
While there is no danger to the public, the derailment impacts are being felt by some drivers. South Carolina Highway Patrol's Lance Corporal Lena Butler said the train derailment closed U.S. 301 in Sellers. As a result, traffic from Florence will need to use U.S. 501 to detour the closure. Traffic from the Latta area can use S.C. 38.
As of 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Butler estimated the closure to last from 24 to 36 hours. However, in a statement on Sunday, CSX shared no details regarding when the rail would reopen, suggesting it would need to remove the derailed equipment and repair the track before completely restoring the area. In a previous update, the company said it was rerouting trains where possible and that the time frame for clearing the track was uncertain.
CSX said the derailment is still under investigation.
