MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — Crews continued work on Wednesday morning, October 24, at the site of a train derailment that occurred Monday afternoon near downtown Middlebury. The accident involved 16 overturned railcars, including 14 tank cars full of gasoline. The work under way included transferring gasoline from the tank cars to trucks, track repair and removal of the damaged railcars.
As of 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 23, authorities had lifted all evacuation orders, which at one time included nearly one square mile surrounding downtown Middlebury, affecting about 500 people.
Several streets close to the accident site remained closed to the public as of Wednesday morning: South Pleasant Street, Cross Street, Water Street and the north end of Charles Avenue. Traffic was heavier and slower than normal in the vicinity of the town green and north and south on Route 7. Most Middlebury College students were not on campus at the time of the derailment, which took place during mid-term break. Classes resumed Wednesday, October 24. Some College offices were evacuated on Monday afternoon, but the College resumed normal operations on Tuesday morning.
The accident and its aftermath are not expected to have any effect on the College's Homecoming Weekend, Friday through Sunday, October 26-28. All events will take place as scheduled.
The College will update information at this web site and will send e-mail alerts as necessary to students, faculty and staff.