Train derails in Hardin County after semi got stuck on railroad tracks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A train derailed Thursday afternoon in Glendale, Kentucky, after a semi got stuck on the tracks.

Kentucky State Police in Elizabethtown said the derailment happened just before 3 p.m. at the crossing in the center of town on Kentucky 222, which is also known as Glendale-Hodgenville Road.

KSP Trooper Scotty Sharp tells WDRB that one person who was nearby the train when it derailed suffered a minor injury but there were no life-threatening injuries.

Sharp said the train was not carrying any chemicals and it was transporting cars.

CSX released a statement Thursday evening that said the train "went into emergency attempting to avoid a collision with a semi-truck and trailer stuck on the crossing at Hodgenville Road in Glendale, Ky." 

The statement also said 21 cars derailed because the train had to brake to avoid the truck.

"One of the derailed cars collided with an occupied vehicle near the crossing. It has been reported the occupants have non-life threatening injuries. There are no reported injuries to the crew of the train and no hazardous materials are involved," CSX said. 

Pictures on the Preserve Glendale Kentucky page on Facebook show the scene along Kentucky 1136, also known as Gilead Church Road show. That's where a semi got stuck on the railroad tracks with the train engine about 100 feet from the  semi. Witnesses at the scene responding on social media said the train derailed after braking to avoid a collision with the truck.

CSX said 21 railroad cars were off the tracks, and images showed some have split open. At least one rail car was carrying vehicles.

Houston Howlett came across the derailment just a few minutes after it happened.

"The truck didn't know not to go that way," Howlett said. "There's some small signage posted and it's not real visible and he got stuck on the tracks and this is not the first time this has happened. We stop trucks all the time."

KSP said the traffic on Kentucky 222 and 1136 would be blocked for several hours for cleanup and an investigation.

In the statement, CSX expressed appreciation for emergency crews at the scene. 

"We appreciate the swift response of Hardin County first responders. CSX crews are on site working closely with local emergency responders to assess the situation and develop recovery efforts. The safety of our employees and the community are our top priority as we work to restore the area."

The well known Whistle Stop Cafe is in the heart of Glendale and was just feet from one of the derailed cars. The restaurant wasn't damaged, and it posted on social media, "We are open, but you may have to find an alternate route." 

One of the derailed train cars hit Alyce Skees' antique shop, The Cabin at Glendale. Skees said she could see the train when it happened and it was scary.

"It was loud and I am used to a train coming back and forth but it was different and the building was shaking a little bit and debris was coming up and then there was smoke," Skees said.

Skees wasn't injured and her shop didn't have any customers inside but her back storage room took a hit. 

"It was so quick and it was scary," Skees said. "I didn't know if it was going to stop."

The cleanup process for the incident is already underway.

"I never would've dreamed that there would've been that level of damage in downtown Glendale," Howlett said.

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