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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Accident Investigation Summary Report HQ-2022-1654

Document Series:
Accident Investigations
Author:
  • Federal Railroad Administration
Accident Date
Accident Type
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Incident (HRX)
Railroad Name
Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS)
Location

Harmarville, PA
United States

Accident Number
HQ-2022-1654
Investigation Status
Finalized
Subject:
Accident Investigations
Keywords:
Norfolk Southern, NS, Harmarville, Pennsylvania, grade crossing, derailment, hazardous materials

On May 26, 2022, at approximately 3:45 p.m., EDT, a Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) freight train collided with a construction dump truck at a private grade crossing in Harmarville, Pennsylvania, on the Conemaugh Subdivision. The dump truck failed to stop at the crossing, resulting in the derailment of 2 locomotives and 17 rail cars, including 8 hazardous materials cars. The derailment caused the release of petroleum distillates and plastic pellets into Guys Run creek, leading to environmental contamination. The accident caused $2,094,785 in damages, with cleanup costs estimated at $2,000,000. The primary cause of the accident was the truck driver's failure to adhere to grade crossing signage.


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Last updated: Monday, December 16, 2024