A Fracking Mess: Sand Train Derails in Miles

MILES, TX — A train has derailed just east of downtown Miles. According to Texas Pacifico Railroad who operates the rolling stock along the old Orient rail line, six cars went off the rails. All of the cars were carrying fracking sand for the oil fields west and south of San Angelo.

The derailment happened late Wednesday night at 11:15 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety told KTXS. Our first notification came at 6:30 a.m. when an eyewitness contacted us.

There were no injuries that were directly caused by the derailment. DPS told KTXS that an occupant of one vehicle suffered minor injuries after hitting debris, a rail tie, from the derailment on CR 357. The vehicle experienced "severe damage to its undercarriage," DPS reported. The vehicle’s driver was not injured, but a passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken to Shannon Medical Center, KTXS reported.

In addition, DPS reported that a large rail tie landed in the roadway of U.S. 67, the highway the railroad tracks are next to.

Approximate location of the derailment:

Texas Pacifico said they are working to get the cars cleared and the rails repaired. With no injuries or other damage other than to the railroad assets themselves, Texas Pacifico is required to conduct its own investigations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is not required to get directly involved. While crews are clearing the tracks, U.S. 67 is down to one lane on the westbound side.

Texas Pacifico said one car will be "righted" and placed back on the tracks, the other five will be moved away from the tracks.

Update 10 a.m.

Added information from DPS and corrected the time the derailment happened to 11:15 p.m. as reported to KTXS via DPS. Added information about the indirect injuries and damage to one vehicle that bottomed out on a rail tie on CR 357.