Regional, national leaders react to train derailment in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Many state and national leaders took to social media after a second Norfolk Southern train derailed in Springfield Saturday afternoon.

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown said he is in touch with local officials and called on the passage of the Railway Safety Act following the train derailment in Springfield.

“Sandusky, Steubenville, East Palestine, and now Springfield - four Norfolk Southern derailments in less than five months because this corporation has been more concerned with its profit margin than with Ohioans’ safety,” he said in a statement. “Ohio communities should not be forced to live in fear of another disaster. It’s unacceptable, it’s why we must pass my bipartisan Railway Safety Act with Senator Vance, now.”

Sandusky, Steubenville, East Palestine, and now Springfield—all in the last five months.

This is unacceptable. It’s why we must pass my bipartisan Rail Safety Act now.
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 5, 2023

Gov. Mike DeWine said he was in contact with President Joe Biden and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Saturday. He said both offered help from the White House.

Late this afternoon an @nscorp train derailed in Clark County. We don’t believe hazardous materials were involved. @OhioEPA, @Ohio_EMA, & @OSHP are on scene supporting first responders. President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg called me to offer help from the federal government.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 5, 2023

Both Buttigieg and Biden officials issued statements late Saturday night echoing DeWine’s.

“President Biden spoke with Governor DeWine this evening to offer Federal assistance after yet another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio today. U.S. Department of Transportation inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration are on their way to the scene, and additional federal teams stand ready to support as needed,” a White House spokesperson said on behalf of a Biden administration official.

I have been briefed by FRA leadership and spoke with Gov. DeWine to offer our support after the derailment today in Clark County, Ohio. No hazardous material release has been reported, but we will continue to monitor closely and FRA personnel are en route.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 5, 2023

>> PHOTOS: Drone footage shows train derailment near Clark County Fairgrounds

Clark County Commissioner Melanie Flax Wilt acknowledged on social media the “mess” first responders and officials now have to address.

“At the very minimum, there’s a pretty big physical mess that will require a lot of clean up. We are very grateful for the coordinated effort of so many entities, and that no lives were lost in this accident,” she wrote in part.

US Rep. Mike Turner called on Norfolk Southern to be clear about any hazards the derailment caused.

Following this situation closely. Let me be clear: @nscorp must be forthcoming about the cargo onboard and current risk to local community from tonight’s derailment. https://t.co/AP5YTMnAtH
— US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) March 5, 2023

Officials claimed that there were no risks to public health or drinking water as Norfolk Southern, Clark County Hazmat, and Ohio EPA independently found no spillage, and the derailment was not in a protected water source area. Additionally, no injuries were reported in the derailment.

This is a developing story and News Center 7 will continue to update as new information becomes available.

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Ohio Cargo Train Derailment Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) (Bill Lackey)

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