FROM STAFF REPORTS

Marengo County officials and the Alabama Highway Patrol are acting as security outside a train, loaded with propellant jet fuel that derailed this morning approximately two miles off Hwy. 114 near Myrtlewood. John Reese, Public Information Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Safety said the fuel is intact and there is no leakage reported.

There were five R&L Railroad employees injured in the derailment, two of which were airlifted to Mobile and one was airlifted to Tuscaloosa from the scene. Officials on scene said their injuries were minor, but were airlifted due to the rural location.

Reese said the derailment occurred at approximately 8:30-9 a.m. this morning.

Officials have evacuated up to a 25 feet perimeter of the train. Two boxcars and one engine are derailed. Officials said the cause of the derailment is unknown at this time.

An ABC affiliate out of Salt Lake City is reporting that there are two rockets aboard the train and that the train was en route to Huntsville where the rockets would be tested.

NASA officials are expected to arrive in Myrtlewood around 4 p.m. this afternoon.

The derailment is not part of the Marengo County Emergency’s planned drill that was scheduled for today. Due to the derailment the drill has been postponed until a later date.