Middlebury Train Derailment
Incident Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England emergency response team is coordinating with local, state and federal agencies responding to a train derailment in Middlebury, Vermont, where gasoline is leaking onto surrounding soils and a nearby creek.
A train carrying 18 rail cars, 15 of which contained approximately 25,000 gallons of gasoline each, derailed at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Monday, October 22, 2007. Several cars were leaking gasoline. The volume of the release is still undetermined, but is estimated to be between one and two thousand gallons. Gasoline has leaked into Otter Creek, a tributary to Lake Champlain. Boom has been deployed in Otter Creek to contain any leaking gasoline.
Approximately 400-500 people located within a half-mile radius of the spill were evacuated and access roads to the site were closed. As of 5:00 a.m. on Oct 23, the evacuation order was lifted and most roads have been reopened.
EPA emergency responders are conducting air monitoring in support of the incident. Results from the air monitoring indicate that the concentration of gasoline in the air is not exceeding safety levels. Also, EPA requested that the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team be mobilized to provide air monitoring and health and safety support to the emergency response crews at the scene. Other response agencies at the site include the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Federal Railroad Administration and state and local HAZMAT crews. EPA is also consulting with the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) on health issues.
Vermont Railway, owner of the derailed cars, has pumped some of the gasoline out of the rail cars prior to safely re-railing them. It took approximately two hours to re-rail each car. EPA anticipated the operation to be completed by October 25, 2007.
Health Information
Based on available information, the Vermont Department of Health and ATSDR have determined there is no immediate health risk for people in the Middlebury area resulting from this gasoline spill. The Health Department will continue to monitor for possible health risks in coordination with EPA’s emergency response team and various state agencies, including Vermont Emergency Management.
If residents are concerned that they are experiencing health symptoms related to exposure to gasoline vapor -- such as eye, nose or throat irritation, nausea or headache -- they should seek medical attention.
Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and will sink to lower levels of buildings such as basements, elevator shafts or underground parking facilities. If an odor is detected – open the windows, turn off fans and ventilate the space with fresh air from outdoors.
To report a strong gasoline odor in your basement, contact the Middlebury Fire Department at 802-388-4462.
The Health Department will continue to monitor for possible health risks in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emergency response team and various state agencies including Vermont Emergency Management.
- For more health information go to: Facts about Automobile Gasoline
Contact Information
- Middlebury Fire Department
Phone: 802-388-4462
- Vermont Department of Health
Middlebury District Office
700 Exchange Street, Suite 101
Middlebury, VT 05753-1529
Phone: 802-388-4644
Toll-free from within Vermont: 888-253-8804
FAX: 802-388-4610
- Vermont Department of Health
Central Office
Phone: 800-439-8550 (Toll free within Vermont)