Derailed Train Car Leaks Acid

Friday, September 28th 2007, 7:30 am

By: News On 6

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) _ Authorities lifted an evacuation order several hours after a train car derailed in a Paducah rail yard and began leaking hydrochloric acid leak, emergency management officials said Friday.

Four train cars derailed around noon Thursday, and three of them overturned, said Larry Davis, vice president of sales and marketing for the Paducah and Louisville Railway. He said one of those was carrying 1,900 pounds of hydrochloric acid and began leaking.

Emergency management officials called for residents within about a half-mile radius to evacuate their homes as a precaution. Six people were taken to a Red Cross shelter set up at a local church. No injuries were reported, authorities said.

Davis said the leak was stopped by 3:30 p.m. A hazardous materials team conducted air tests to ensure the readings were within acceptable safety ranges before people were allowed to return. McCracken County Emergency Management Director Kent King said Friday that the evacuation had been lifted.