Norfolk Southern train derails in Alabama as CEO testifies in front of Senate committee

Another train derailed Thursday, this time in Calhoun County, Alabama.

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The train happened around 6:45 a.m. local time in the Quad Cities area of White Planes, NBC News reported.

It is estimated that 30 cars derailed, but no one was hurt and there were no hazardous materials leaked, but there is no indication as to what caused the train cars to leave the track.

The train cars were empty and crews quickly responded to clear the wreckage, Al.com reported.

This is the third Norfolk Southern train that has derailed since last month. One derailed on Saturday on its way to Birmingham, Alabama.

A train derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, CNN reported. That derailment was carrying hazardous materials which burned for days, forcing the evacuation of the surrounding community.

The derailment involved 38 railcars, 11 of which were carrying hazardous materials, The Associated Press reported. No one was hurt, but officials agreed to release and burn toxic vinyl chloride from five of the tanker cars. Residents in the area said they are suffering from illnesses because of the chemicals in the air, according to the AP.

Several lawsuits have been filed since the derailment, NBC News reported.

A hearing was held Thursday in the Senate where Norfolk Southern’s CEO Alan Shaw apologized for the derailment and offered millions of dollars to the Ohio community to help it recover from the wreck, the AP reported.

“I’m terribly sorry for the impact this derailment has had on the folks of that community,” Shaw said. “We’re going to be there for as long as it takes to help East Palestine thrive and recover.”

Shaw testified that he supports improving rail safety but stood by the company’s record.

Lawmakers said they will continue looking into the derailment, President Joe Biden’s administration’s response and the company’s safety practices.

Another train derailment happened to a CSX train in West Virginia and injured three people on Wednesday. The train which was comprised of empty coal cars hit a rock slide. The lead locomotive caught fire in the incident, the AP reported.