Central Texas Derailment Caused Chemical Leak

Eight Union Pacific cars overturned in Central Texas and at least one tanker leaked a hazardous chemical used in natural gas processing.

The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office says nobody was hurt in the June 23 derailment near Navasota. Authorities are trying to determine what caused the derailment in an area about 65 miles northwest of Houston.

UP spokeswoman Elizabeth Hutchison says the 127-car train originated in Houston and was bound for Fort Worth when the derailment happened around 6:15 a.m. CDT Monday. She says one car leaked diethanolamine (dy-eth-uh-NAL’-uh-meen) and crews worked to clean up the area.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Todd Greene says deputies closed nearby Highway 6 during the cleanup.