3 Hospitalized in Freight Train Accident, Fire in 'Remote' Area The CSX train hit into a rockslide near Sandstone, West Virginia on Wednesday.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

Getty Images
Personnel conduct operations after a CSX freight train derailed in Sandstone, West Virginia on Wednesday.

Traveling has been a bit scary lately, with tales of dangerous plane rides and train accidents leaving many weary about boarding any mechanism at all.

Another report on Wednesday shows that an empty coal train making its way through a remote area of West Virginia derailed after running into a rock slide, injuring three crew members and causing a fire.

The CSX freight train confirmed an "unknown quantity of diesel fuel and oil spilled" amid the accident but maintained that none of the chemicals or materials being carried on the train were hazardous.

"We greatly appreciate the swift actions of the local first responders in Sandstone [VA] that rendered aide to our valued crew members," CSX said in a release. "The safety of our employees and the community is our top priority as we dispatch our teams to assess the situation and develop a plan to completely restore the area."

The West Virginia Emergency Management division confirmed that one locomotive and one fuel tank derailed into the New River, noting that the area in Sandstone where the accident happened sits inside the New River National Park and Preserve and is "somewhat remote."

Crews begin cleanup in Sandstone, WV. (Getty Images)

"At the time of this report, no roads are closed, nor has there been an evacuation of nearby homes," the agency said. "It is unknown when the tracks will be repaired to allow new rail traffic."

On board were three crew members, an engineer, an engineer trainee, and a conductor. Two of three crew members were still hospitalized Thursday morning for non-life-threatening injuries, while the third was released.

On Thursday, CSX confirmed that all 22 empty cars had been removed from the area in addition to the boulders that caused the accident.

The company also said that it has "deployed additional environmental measures" to ensure no extra fuel is leaked into the area during the removal process, including tapping the National Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to remove any parts of the area that may have been contaminated with fuel or materials from the train.

CSX Transportation is a Florida-based railroad company that serves the Eastern U.S. and parts of Canada. It's estimated to operate over 21,000 miles of railroad track.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at BIZ Experiences.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Science & Technology

OpenAI's Latest Move Is a Game Changer — Here's How Smart Solopreneurs Are Turning It Into Profit

OpenAI's latest AI tool acts like a full-time assistant, helping solopreneurs save time, find leads and grow their business without hiring.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Money & Finance

These Are the Expected Retirement Ages By Generation, From Gen Z to Boomers — and the Average Savings Anticipated. How Do Yours Compare?

Many Americans say inflation prevents them from saving enough and fear they won't reach their financial goals.

Starting a Business

I Built a $20 Million Company by Age 22 While Still in College. Here's How I Did It and What I Learned Along the Way.

Wealth-building in your early twenties isn't about playing it safe; it's about exploiting the one time in life when having nothing to lose gives you everything to gain.

Business Solutions

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

Ideal for BIZ Experiencess and small-business owners who are looking to streamline their PC setup.