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The scene east of Davenport where part of a train derailed on Saturday afternoon. Photo provided by Emergency Management -
The scene of the derailment east of Davenport. Photo provided by Emergnecy Management.
Crews continue cleaning up after 22 cars and four locomotives of a freight train derailed over the weekend east of Davenport in Lincoln County.
Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Charlotte Brown said there was a minor diesel leak from one of the four locomotives but it was stopped by the Davenport Fire Department.
“There were no injuries or property damage other than to the railroad,” Brown said, concerning the derailment that happened at the intersection of County Road 890 and County Road 3520 to the east about quarter of a mile.
“County Road 890 will remain closed for an extended period at the rail crossing located between County Road 3520 and County Road 3530,” she stated.
Brown said the 22 cars that derailed were hauling gravel. “There were no hazardous materials released in the incident,” she stressed.
The train, owned by Stillwater Central Railroad Co., was comprised of 90 cars and that included the four locomotives, Brown noted.
She explained, “They’re trying to do the cleanup according to their specifications.”
Brown added, “We’re working with the EPA and the EPA of the railroad company to ensure it’s cleaned up within regulations.”
Brown warned people to please refrain from visiting that area, noting, “because of the multiple heavy equipment vehicles in the area.”
She emphasized, “I hate to give a time frame on when it will be cleaned up because I haven’t been given one. The crews are working diligently to get it cleaned up,” she said.
The EM director stated she received a call shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday about a train derailment. She said the railroad company has names attached to the intersections, something a little different than the county, but a deputy sheriff figured it out.
“My main focus was first to ensure there were no injuries or property damage other than to the railroad,” Brown said.
There has been no determination to the cause of the derailment, she said, stressing that is still under investigation by the railroad company.
Sgt. Aaron Bennett, Public Information Officer with the Sheriff’s Office, said that Lincoln County 911 received the call from the railroad company Saturday afternoon about a derailment.
“The company wasn’t sure at first if it was even in Lincoln County or not, but one of our deputies located it,” Bennett said.
In addition to himself and Lincoln County Emergency Management responding, fire departments from Davenport, Stroud and Cushing along with Miller EMS responded as well.
Bennett said the only property damage outside the railroad and cars was a downed power line that OG&E was notified about and came out and fixed.
“At no time was the public in any danger,” Bennett said.
“We had units on the scene Saturday afternoon and throughout Saturday night. We had private citizens showing up and trying to trespass and gain access to the railroad.”
Bennett said beginning Sunday, the railroad company handled the scene except when sheriff deputies were called again on Sunday “because we had people trying to gain access.”
He said the Sac and Fox responded with their Mobile Communication Center.
“They were there to help out so we could have briefings,” he added.