Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Investigation Continues Into Runaway Ohio Train

Aired May 16, 2001 - 09:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, this next one sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster. The real life drama of a runaway train played out along a 70-mile stretch of track in Ohio yesterday. And today, investigators are looking for some answers.

More on the story now from CNN's Catherine Callaway.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The 47-car train was being assembled on a CSX track near Toledo. But while being moved, something went awry and it got away from the train yard and officials. Two of the cars were carrying thousands of gallons of non- flammable but toxic chemicals, and officials and residents feared a disaster if the train derailed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It might be heading to our town next and our high school is really close to the train tracks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not really worried but quite surprised that something like this could even happen.

CALLAWAY: Reaching speeds close to 50 miles-per-hour, the train traveled through farm fields and cities, including Bowling Green and Findlay, sometimes passing through backyards and within 50 feet of some homes.

Patrol cars sped ahead of the train to block crossings. Officers even took shots at the gas switch of the cars carrying chemicals.

SGT. TOM GWINN, OHIO HIGHWAY PATROL: We were trying to disable it by firing shotgun rounds at a fuel stop safety switch and so some rounds were fired. That was the only alternative they could think of other than derailing the train.

CALLAWAY: Another engine caught up to the train and hooked to the back to slow it down. Officials began running along the train, trying to jump aboard.

In a daring maneuver, trainmaster Jon Hosfeld, who was waiting at a railroad crossing, was able to jump aboard, entered the locomotive and pulled its brake. The train was traveling close to 10 miles-per- hour when the CSX veteran jumped on to save the day.

Officials are still trying to get to the bottom of how the train got away.

KATHLEEN BURNS, CSX TRANSPORTATION SPOKESWOMAN: Obviously, something went awry and it's very important to us that we do learn exactly what happened.

CALLAWAY: Catherine Callaway, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: That is a wild story.

HARRIS: And it's a great -- it's an interesting story.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com