The NTSB is probing a freight train derailment involving Norfolk Southern in eastern Pennsylvania

The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into a derailment involving three Norfolk Southern trains in eastern Pennsylvania, stated NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick.  The incident, which occurred along the Lehigh River in Lower Saucon Township just east of Allentown, resulted in multiple container cars leaving the tracks and two locomotives rolling over onto the river's embankment.

According to Sulick, there were no reported injuries or leaks of hazardous materials. An NTSB team specializing in train operations, signals and train control, mechanical systems, and human performance was anticipated to arrive later on Saturday.

“Preliminary information indicates that an eastbound NS train struck a stopped NS train on the same track,” Sulick said in the an NTSB statement. “The wreckage from the striking train spilled onto an adjacent track and was struck by a westbound NS train. The collision led to the derailment of an unknown number of cars.” The Federal Railroad Administration announced its collaboration with emergency responders, local authorities, and support for the NTSB's investigation into Saturday's derailment.

Emergency personnel arriving at the scene shortly after 7 a.m. discovered diesel fuel spills, as Lower Saucon Police Chief Thomas H. Barndt informed reporters on Saturday morning. Containment booms were promptly deployed to address the spill. Chief Barndt also noted a spill of polypropylene plastic pellets from one of the derailed railcars.  Responding to the derailment, crews and contractors from Norfolk Southern were already formulating a cleanup strategy, according to railroad spokesperson Connor Spielmaker.

In a statement, Norfolk Southern confirmed that the diesel fuel leak had been contained using booms and would be extracted via vacuum. Additionally, the railcar containing plastic pellets predominantly spilled onto the ground and would undergo cleanup. The company assured that there was no public threat, no hazardous material concerns from the railcars, and no reports of injuries among crew members.

The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into a derailment involving three Norfolk Southern trains in eastern Pennsylvania, stated NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick.

The incident, which occurred along the Lehigh River in Lower Saucon Township just east of Allentown, resulted in multiple container cars leaving the tracks and two locomotives rolling over onto the river's embankment.

According to Sulick, there were no reported injuries or leaks of hazardous materials. An NTSB team specializing in train operations, signals and train control, mechanical systems, and human performance was anticipated to arrive later on Saturday.