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Updated: 8:54 PM Jan 26, 2012
Rumor Causes Scare at Grand Ridge School
Grand Ridge- A rumor started Thursday that needlessly sent dozens of Grand Ridge students home from school.
Posted: 6:19 PM Jan 26, 2012Reporter: Bryan Anderson Email Address: Bryan.Anderson@wjhg.com Chemical from Derailed Train Tank Car Being Transferred to Another');">  |
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3 Comments 
Grand Ridge- The problem stemmed from a train derailment that happened earlier this month.
At least one of the cars contained a gas refrigerant called methyl chloride. The chemical can be harmful if someone were to breathe in a large amount of it.
Crews were scheduled to begin off-loading the gas from the derailed car at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, and then transfer it to another tanker,but somehow the message got distorted.
"The schools took their precautions, the next thing we know the rumor's all over Jackson County that we've had a hazmat incident in Grand Ridge. I've heard they're evacuating the town, we've had an explosion, they're evacuating the schools and parents are concerned, and these are how rumors get started," said Jackson County Emergency Management Director Rodney Andreasen.
Andreasen said crews were expected to begin the off-loading later Thursday night.
Latest Comments
That would be exactly what happens when the public is not informed. There may have been "needless" evacuation of children from Grand Ridge school but if this had not been a rumor, and one single child had been injured then we would be looking to "hang" one of the locals at school for failure to act and assuming it was "just a rumor". My child was there and I am grateful that someone had the guts to make a "decision". Thank you Grand Ridge School.
You never know, something like that could happen as long as the train hauls chemicals through the county. Maybe before something terrible happens the county needs to conduct a safety drill of what to do. Inform it's citizens of what they need to do in case of a derailment in which gas or other potential dangerous chemicals are released. Everybody needs a plan in place.
Perhaps there wouldn't be rumors so much if local news and public safety would let the public know what is going on instead of leaving it up to the rumors to spread news,that is supposed to be what they all get paid for isn't it?Telling us what happened yesterday is fine if it doesn't pose an immediate danger.Why did CSX leave a damaged tank car sitting in the middle of Grand Ridge for almost 2 weeks until it was convenient for their schedule?Why wasn't it pumped out the day of the derailment?As for the comments from Mr Andreasen about rumors he should know that is what happens when the public isn't told what is going on,maybe he could have given an interview before now and kept people informed so there would not have been rumors.But then maybe no one wanted to remind us about a DAMAGED tanker of HAZARDOUS materials parked in a residential area by the friendly folks of CSX that can't seem to keep their trains right side up in the first place.
