Ohio train derailment: Hundreds of angry townspeople demand answers at meeting
Conrad Hoyt
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Hundreds of angry residents of East Palestine, Ohio, and its surrounding areas attended a town hall meeting Wednesday demanding answers after a train derailed earlier this month and officials felt compelled to release toxic fumes into the air to avoid a massive explosion.
“You destroyed our town,” an attendee said at the meeting, per WSYX. “Why? This could have been prevented. Are we really safe? Is our water safe?”
OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT: NORFOLK SOUTHERN BACKS OUT OF COMMUNITY MEETING, CITING SECURITY CONCERNS
Mere hours before the meeting, Norfolk Southern, the train company that owns the train in the derailment, backed out of the meeting, citing perceived threats to their workers’ safety. The company was due to join officials at the meeting to address the concerns of local residents but decided to pull out of the meeting at the last moment, mentioning fears of “outside parties.”
“We know that many are rightfully angry and frustrated right now,” the statement obtained by KDKA read. “Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties,” it continued. “With that in mind, Norfolk Southern will not be in attendance this evening.”
The company noted that it was “not going anywhere” and that it would continue to work with locals to solve the problem.
“We want to continue our dialogue with the community and address their concerns, and our people will remain in East Palestine, respond to this situation, and meet with residents,” the statement added.
One resident wasn’t pleased with the company’s decision.
“Cowards. Absolute cowards. They don’t want to answer our questions,” Ted Murphy told WSYX. “They don’t want to have to confront it. How can you look all these people in the face and tell them there is nothing wrong? How can you do that?”
Norfolk Southern has come under harsh criticism from government officials who laid responsibility for the disaster at its feet. Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) demanded on Wednesday that the company be held accountable and do more to help clean up the mess.
The train derailed on Feb. 3rd in East Palestine, Ohio, which is about an hour northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The train cars were carrying at least five hazardous materials at the time of the accident, including a chemical linked to liver damage, Environmental Protection Agency officials said.
Wanting to prevent a “catastrophic tanker failure” and an explosion that could have sent deadly shrapnel up to a mile away, officials opted to conduct a controlled burn, releasing fumes into the air.
These fumes included chemicals such as vinyl chloride, which has been linked to liver damage and a rare form of liver cancer in cases of acute exposure, and butyl acrylate, a clear, colorless liquid characterized by a sharp odor and known to cause a burning sensation and shortness of breath when it is inhaled, EPA officials said.
While state officials said Wednesday they have received no reports of health issues and that water in the area is safe to drink, residents remain skeptical. Many are concerned about long-term health effects and whether local wildlife and water are indeed safe to consume.
Ahead of the meeting, residents were doubtful they would get the answers they need. And for the village of fewer than 5,000 people, everyone is feeling the pressure.
“I need help. I am not ready for this. I wasn’t built for this,” Mayor Trent Conaway said at the town hall, according to WSYX’s Kate Siefert. “I have this village on my back, and I will do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to make this right.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told Norfolk Southern on Wednesday his office is considering legal action against the rail operator, per the local news outlet.
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Amid a disaster that not quite anybody can fully comprehend, Conaway remains resolute. “We need our citizens to feel safe in their own homes,” he opened the town hall by saying, per Reuters.
“They screwed up our town. They’re going to fix it.”