VANDERBURGH CO., IN (WFIE) -
A train derailment in Evansville shut down both north and southbound lanes of Highway 41 between Lynch and Diamond Tuesday morning and power had to be shut off to several businesses.
According to CSX authorities Tuesday morning around 10:30 a.m., four cars of a 26 car train loaded with grain, derailed at the Evansville yard hitting a power pole near Lynch Road.
"We opened up the windows and have been watching it all morning," said Chris Gillespie. the Drury Inn General Manager.
"It was actually in the train yard, so the cars themselves weren't a hazard, but when the cars tipped over one of them came in contact with a utility pole and snapped the pole," said Sgt. Jason Cullum, spokesperson for Evansville Police.
Power was cut to neighboring businesses and the highway shut down for fear of a bigger problem.
"The pole stayed up right and the wires stayed up, but due to the wind and the unstableness of the pole, there was a concern the pole would come down, bringing the wires with it across 41, just South of Lynch road. Obviously, that is a huge safety hazard for the motorist," Cullum said.
North and southbound lanes of 41 were closed between Lynch and Diamond for about an hour. Without power, Denny's had to turn away customers.
"It's strange to see something like that. It's strange also as a waitress, which we are usually very busy, to just be sitting, looking at a highway that brings all of our business, and there is nothing on it. It was a little erie and strange," said Denny's employee, Jessica Thomas.
"Usually it's packed all day long, so it's unusual to see it without any cars on it," Gillespie said.
Despite it being several train cars, people 14 News spoke to say they didn't hear more than a little thud when they flipped over.
"Nobody noticed until we saw all the traffic backed up, and the police lights. We thought there might have been an accident," Thomas said. "We did hear a thud, but nobody even thought about it. I would have thought it would have shook us, or something."
Thankfully, the rail cars weren't carrying any hazardous material. CSX says the four cars that tipped over were full of grain.
There were no injuries.
Vectren crews are continuing to make repairs at the scene.
CSX officials say the cause of the accident will be investigated.
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