Twenty-Two Rail Cars Overturned in Train Derailment

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(TNS) – Twenty-two rail cars overturned in a train derailment in Ravenna Township on Tuesday evening.

Crews are still on-scene this morning cleaning up after a Norfolk Southern train derailed at 7:11 p.m. near South Prospect Street and Ohio 44, according to the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The train was enroute from Bellevue in Sandusky County to Conway, Pennsylvania . It had 237 cars and four engines, according to Norfolk Southern spokesperson Connor Spielmaker .

There were no reports of injuries or spills of hazardous material, he said. The train was carrying a variety of freight, but the involved cars are predominantly auto racks, which carry vehicles, and hoppers carrying rock salt.

“Norfolk Southern crews and our contractors have been on-site clearing the track and cleaning up the site,” he said. “We appreciate the public’s patience near the site during this work.”

Local police and Ravenna Township firefighters said drivers should expect delays through this morning as clean-up continues.

The derailment caused transportation issues for Ravenna City School District.

“We are not able to pick up students living along Prospect Street , south of Summit Road , and in the Timber Run neighborhood,” the district posted on its Facebook page. “If you live in the impacted area, we ask that you find alternate transportation to school today.”

The district said other buses may run on a delay, and an announcement regarding homebound bus routes will be posted later.

The cause of the derailment is being investigated by the Federal Railroad Administration .