AYER — No one was injured as five cars on a CSX freight train derailed Thursday prompting a response from the Fire Department, Police Department and Department of Public Works.
Emergency personnel responded to the area of Sculley Road at approximately 11:30 a.m. where they surveyed the damage caused by five overturned train cars. Contents of the cars had spilled out onto the side of the tracks.
First responders were later joined by members of the DPW and officials from CSX and National Grid, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Januskiewicz.
In a Facebook post, the Fire Department noted that the derailed cars did not contain hazardous materials as they urged people to avoid the area. Later, a tweet posted by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency clarified that the derailed cars were carrying trash and recycling.
MEMA State Control has been notified of a train derailment in @TownOfAyer. The 10 derailed cars were reportedly carrying trash/recycling — NO hazardous materials involved. Our Regional Coordinator is in communication w/ Ayer FD. No outstanding requests for state assistance.
— MEMA (@MassEMA) March 23, 2023
CSX did not answer phone calls or emails seeking comment. The Jacksonville, Florida-based company acquired Pan Am Railways in 2022.
On Monday, four cars on a CSX train carrying non-hazardous materials derailed in Androscoggin County, Maine. News Center Maine reported those cars were carrying a limestone slurry.
According to Januskiewicz, the train had been parked when it was derailed. He said that CSX officials were still at the scene had not established a timetable in regard to cleanup. People are urged to avoid the area until further notice.
Train and rail safety has been a hot-button topic in recent weeks following a derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month. On Feb. 3, about 50 cars, some carrying hazardous products, derailed, according to rail operator Norfolk Southern.
