One Dead, Nine Injured in Rockford Train Derailment
Written by DJ Special Blend from Chicago on June 21, 2009
ROCKFORD, IL – Eighteen rail cars, all loaded with thousands of gallons of highly flammable ethanol, left the tracks in Friday’s derailment, exploding into flames.
One lady died on the scene after flames from the firery train was thrown onto her car:
WGN: Trying to escape from a derailing train that set off a fiery explosion, a woman abandoned her car at a rail crossing and made it 20 feet on foot before she fell and died.
Witnesses saw Zoila Tellez, 41, of Rockford, running from her car, said Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia, who identified the wife and mother. Tellez’ body was found face down on the ground, Fiduccia said.
600 residents in the area were evacuated as the firs burned Friday through late Saturday. Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment. WGN suggest flood waters may have played a role:
