Sixteen Railcars Derail in Bensalem as Crews Assess Hazardous Cargo

Officials issued a temporary shelter-in-place order after discovering two derailed railcars were carrying hazardous materials.

BENSALEM, Pa. — Sixteen cars from a 72-car CSX freight train derailed in Bensalem Township on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents after two of the derailed cars were found to be carrying hazardous materials.

The eastbound train left the tracks around 2:15 p.m. between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls train station, near the intersection of East Bristol Road and Grove Avenue in the Feasterville section of the township. Bensalem police, fire crews, EMS and hazmat teams responded to the scene and began assessing the contents of the derailed cars.

Officials initially feared a hazardous materials leak after determining that two of the derailed cars were carrying an alcohol-based substance and an acid. Inspectors found no leaks from either car, and Bensalem Director of Public Safety William McVey told reporters the public faced no danger once crews completed their assessment. He said no passengers were aboard the train, which was hauling freight only.

Residents in the immediate area were initially told to evacuate or shelter in place, close their windows, doors and vents, and shut off air conditioning systems while crews worked the scene. Authorities lifted those orders by 4:53 p.m., clearing residents to return to their homes and businesses. A staging area for the emergency response was set up at the Neshaminy Mall.

No injuries were reported in connection with the derailment, according to a CSX spokesperson and state Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson, who said she had been briefed by authorities on the response.

Bristol Road remained closed between Brownsville Road and Old Lincoln Highway as cleanup efforts continued. SEPTA suspended its West Trenton Regional Rail Line because of the emergency response, since its tracks run parallel to the CSX line in that stretch. The agency said it would restore service once the area was cleared.

CSX said crews were working to repair the site as quickly as safety would allow. The company will lead the cleanup and has not yet determined what caused the derailment, which remains under investigation.

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents Bucks County, said his office was closely monitoring the situation and thanked the first responders who worked the scene.