Road Remains Closed After Morning Train Derailment In York County

CATAWBA, SC — SCDOT says Rowell Road will be closed for several more hours after a train derailed early Wednesday morning.

The Norfolk Southern train derailed around 7:20am in the area of Rowells Road and Cureton Ferry Road. Officials say five cars came off the track, including one empty hazmat cab that had been carrying sodium hydroxide. That cab was empty when the accident occurred.

Transportation officials are encouraging drivers to use the following alternate route as crews work to clear the area:

The detour begins from the intersection of S-46-832 (Rowells Road) and S-46-697 (Cureton Ferry Road), proceed northwest 0.63 miles to S-46-1349 (Pottery Road).  Turn left onto S-46-1349 (Pottery Road) and proceed southeast for 0.48 miles to S-46-949 (College Road).  Turn right onto S-46-949 (College Road) and continue southeast for 0.33 miles to S-46-832 (Rowells Road).

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation.