‘It’s pretty scary;’ Neighbors detail surprise, concern after Darke County train derailment

GREENVILLE, DARKE COUNTY — Residents in Darke County are glad the derailment of a train hauling ethanol didn’t result in a leak.

>>PHOTOS: Multiple tanker cars derail in Darke County

After 12:20 p.m., Greenville police and fire were called to the intersection of State Route 571 near SR 49 and the Shell gas station on reports of a train derailment.

“I heard the whistle and then I heard a sound I never really heard before…Grinding,” Greenville resident Jane Glick said.

She was shocked when she realized the grinding sound was actually a train derailment.

“I said ‘You’re kidding!’ I have lived here all these years and that has never ever happened,” Glick said.

Everyone who came to see the derailment firsthand said the same thing.

“In 79 years, I’ve never seen anything like that,” Greenville resident Glenn Rehmert said.

Greenville Police Lieutenant Ryan Benge said there is “no threat, no hazmat issues,” that the department is currently aware of.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tanker cars carrying ethanol derail in Darke County

Those who live nearby are still left wondering, what could have happened.

“It’s pretty scary, you know, if there’s a leakage in our little town, I just wouldn’t want that, it’d be awful,” Greenville resident Katheleen Mealeigh said.

Greenville residents are now asking how these cars ended up on their side when the train typically moves at less than 10 miles an hour.

“It’s just kind of a chug-along train,” Glick said.

Greenville police told News Center 7 that the train line, R.J. Corman, won’t be here until early Wednesday morning to move the derailed cars.

Crews will be staying on scene all night to redirect traffic.

We will continue to follow this story.

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