Published: July 08, 2009 11:43 pm         

State Police investigating multicar train derailment in Sullivan County

Indiana Railroad Co. offering $20K reward

SULLIVAN COUNTY — Indiana State Police detectives from the Terre Haute post are investigating the derailment Wednesday of 22 loaded train cars in eastern Sullivan County. The cars were loaded with potash and parked for long-term storage by The Indiana Railroad Co.

Police report there were 70 top-loading hopper cars, coupled together and parked on an unused railroad spur of the former No. 3 Kendall Mine near Gilmour in western Greene County. The railroad cars left their parking spot and traveled under their own power southwest nearly four miles to the end of the spur line in eastern Sullivan County.

Once reaching the end of the line, the lead car struck a metal barrier at the end of the track, causing 22 of the cars to derail and overturn.

State police and railroad investigators are trying to determine if the derailment was caused by a criminal act, such as the tampering of the train car parking systems.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted an initial assessment at the scene. ISP and railroad investigators do not believe the material poses any danger to the area.

Anyone with information in the case is urged to contact the lead investigator, ISP Detective Sam Stearley, at (812) 299-1153.

If it is determined to be a criminal act, the Indiana Railroad Co. is offering a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Questions concerning the reward should be directed to Christopher Rund, director of public relations for the company, at (317) 607-7245.