Several railroad crossings remain closed after train derailment in Hall County

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Multiple railroad crossings in Hall County remained closed at midday Friday as cleanup operations continued following the Norfolk Southern train derailment near the Yonah-Homer Road crossing. As of noon on May 22, Norfolk Southern crews were still working at the scene, according to deputies with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office who were patrolling the area. Old Cornelia Highway remained closed between Mud Creek Road and the Habersham County line. The railroad crossings at Yonah-Homer Road and Garland White Road also remained closed, with road closure signs posted in the area. Norfolk Southern completed repairs to the damaged track overnight. Crews returned early Friday to begin removing the derailed locomotives and rail cars. It remains unclear how long the railroad crossings and the section of Old Cornelia Highway between the Habersham County line and Mud Creek Road will stay closed.

Collision led to derailment

The derailment happened around 11:50 a.m. Thursday, when a northbound Norfolk Southern freight train struck a flatbed tractor-trailer hauling an excavator at the Yonah-Homer Road crossing, according to Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols. Nichols said the train struck the lowboy trailer as it crossed the tracks. The collision caused three locomotives and eight rail cars to derail and overturn. Authorities said the train was carrying hazardous materials, but none of the hazardous cargo was compromised in the crash. The driver of the tractor-trailer suffered minor injuries and was transported by Hall County Emergency Medical Services to a hospital in stable condition. No injuries were reported among railroad personnel.

Multi-county mess

When the train derailed, portions of it came to rest in both Hall and Banks counties, prompting Banks County emergency crews to assist Hall County responders until they were released from the scene shortly after noon on May 21. The Georgia State Patrol and Norfolk Southern Railroad are investigating the crash.