May 8, 1981

Conductor, flagman injured in derailment

       Two Illinois men were injured at 10:40 p.m. Saturday when eight cars of a 43-car Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) freight train derailed between Fairview and County Line Roads in White River Township.  According to Deputy Rick Stephens of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, “The train was not carrying anything flammable or serious….possibly some wood pulp.”  C.M. Rials, division engineer for ICG, said the track probably would be back in service by 6 p.m. today.  The two injured men, both ICG, employees, were the trains’ conductor, R.V. Rich of Flat Rock, ILL and the flagman, D.E. Jones, Robinson, ILL. Both were transported to St. Francis Hospital, Beech Grove.  According to Stephens’ report, the train was traveling between 7 and 8 miles per hour when the mishap occurred.  Approximately 600 feet of rail split cars, sending the last eight cars, including the caboose in which the men were riding, off the rail.  The White River Township Fire Department stood by at the scene during clean up efforts.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

---