Ohio train derailment 2 years later Vice President JD Vance to visit East Palestine

East Palestine train derailment two years later: VP Vance, Ohio leaders to visit site

Train derailment
On Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train that was carrying about 50 cars, including 11 that were carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash, according to rail operator Norfolk Southern and the National Transportation Safety Board. No injuries to crew, residents or first responders were reported.

Five were transporting vinyl chloride, which is used to make the polyvinyl chloride hard plastic resin in plastic products and is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer and other cancers, according to the federal government’s National Cancer Institute

Federal investigators say the cause of the derailment was a mechanical issue with a rail car axle.

The three-member train crew received an alert about the mechanical defect “shortly before the derailment," Michael Graham, a board member of the NTSB, said Sunday. Investigators identified the exact “point of derailment,” but the board was still working to determine which rail car experienced the axle issue, he said.

Effect on wildlife
Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said they estimate around 3,500 fish have died across streams and tributaries impacted by the chemical spill in East Palestine

Mertz said the deaths involve 12 species of fish, none are threatened or endangered.

"There doesn't appear to be any increase in the fish or aquatic creatures killed since the first couple of days of the derailment," Mertz said,

Mertz said wildlife officers are on the scene working with contractors who are doing sampling in the water, and they will continue to monitor for any loss of aquatic life and hold those responsible accountable.

Mertz said there has been no evidence of any deaths from the derailment in nonaquatic species in either Ohio or Pennsylvania.

Settlement reached
The Village of East Palestine and Norfolk Southern have announced a $22 million settlement resolving all of the village’s claims arising from the disastrous 2023 train derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.

The settlement is to be used for priorities the village identifies in connection with the derailment, but it also recognizes about $13.5 million that Norfolk Southern has already paid to the village, according to the joint announcement posted Monday on the village's website. It also reaffirms Norfolk Southern’s commitment of $25 million to ongoing improvements to East Palestine City Park.

Norfolk Southern and the village agreed that a proposed regional safety training center in the village is not feasible and work will not proceed with building the center, according to the statement. Norfolk Southern agreed to transfer about 15 acres (6 hectares) acquired for the center to the village and it remains committed to providing training for East Palestine’s first responders at other facilities in the region.

Additional legal actions are pending. Residents challenging Norfolk Southern’s $600 million settlement related to the crash have asked a court to reject a judge’s order requiring them to put up an $850,000 bond to continue their appeal for higher compensation and more information about the contamination.

Nearly $300 million of the settlement has been on hold because of the appeal, even though a judge approved the deal in September. The holdout residents are urging the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to stop them from having to put up the huge sum to continue with their claims.