Train derails, hits viaduct in Yemassee

YEMASSEE, S.C. (WTOC) - A train derailed in Yemassee on Wednesday morning.

The derailment happened at 7 a.m., according to the Yemassee Police Department.

Officials say, a CSX train derailed two hopper cars and one loaded flat car near Wall Street and Salketatchie Road.

Those cars did strike a bridge on Frampton Road, causing the road to be closed while repairs were made. The company that owns the train said no crew members were injured, and no hazardous materials were involved.

Officials from the town of Yemassee say that the damage to the bridge on Frampton Road was considered to be significant, meaning the bridge should be closed for the next few weeks.

Detour signage will be placed around the area. All other closures from this morning have been reopened.

A representative for CSX, the company that runs the freight train, said that two of the cars that derailed were empty, and the other was loaded with steel.

They say that derailments of this scale are not common.

While WTOC hasn’t been told who will be paying for the repairs of the bridge, an employee from the South Carolina Department of Transportation said that in situations like these, usually the train company foots the bill.

SCDOT says the entire bridge will need to be replaced.

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