Union Pacific Railroad has provided the White County Sheriff’s Office with an official statement on Monday’s hazardous spill.
A three-mile section of Arkansas Highway 367 near McRae was blocked in all directions yesterday morning after an incident in which a train spilled nitric acid.
In the statement, the railroad company said:
“Around 10 a.m. CDT, smoke was observed coming from a rail car in Beebe, Arkansas. The crew did as they should and stopped the train near Highway 367 S. and Rip Kirk Rd. near McRae. Emergency response personnel, including hazmat, immediately responded.
The leak was contained around 12:30 p.m. CDT. We are not aware of anyone being transported by EMS from the scene, and there is currently no evacuation.
We continue to work with emergency personnel, and air monitoring tests show normal conditions. An emergency hotline has been set up for anyone impacted by the incident: 1 (877) 877-2567, Option No. 1.
The cause remains under investigation.”
According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the highway reopened around 4 p.m. on Monday.
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