Train Derailment - Sodium Hydroxide; Tomkins Cove, New York

Tomkins Cove, New York | 1998-Jul-11

Initial Notification: Three railroad cars of Sodium Hydroxide derailed near Tomkins Cove in Rockland County, NY, along the banks of the Hudson River. The cars are listed as empty, but probably hold 400 - 500 gallons of liquid. Two tankcars are on the land and one rolled into the Hudson River. One of the cars on the land is leaking, the liquid is flowing away from the River and forming a 40-50 foot diameter pool. The vegetation in the area is dead from contact. The tankcar in the River is not believed to be leaking. Local Fire Department and two NY State DEP reps are on scene, as well as CG reps. USCG district 1. Keyword: none.