DRAFFIN, Ky. — A CSX train carrying 96 loaded ethanol cars derailed just after 7 Thursday morning in Draffin, Kentucky. The video you see is from Mountain Top Media. The alcohol was denatured ethyl alcohol and that means it isn't fit for human consumption.
The Mountain Water District has shut off an intake downstream from the derailment until it is determined how much of the alcohol made it into the river. The sytem serves more than 26 thousand people, including the residents of Elkhorn City. The Mountain Water District and the Pikeville Water District are working to ensure the water is safe.
The train also had two loaded rock cars. Early information from CSX indicates the train hit a rockslide and derailed a pair of locomotives and an unknown number of rail cars. All fell into the Big Sandy River near Pond Creek Road. A pair of crew members escaped the derailed locomotive and made it safely to shore.
One of the locomotives and an unknown number of cars caught fire. CSX has emergency teams on the way and are working with the authorities in Draffin.