HAMLET — The cause of a Saturday morning train collision is still under investigation, according to City Manager John Terziu.
Terziu released a statement Monday morning, stating that two CSX trains made contact just before 10:30 a.m. March 14, leading to the derailment of 18 cars and one locomotive.
“The Hamlet Fire Department and Hamlet Police Department responded immediately and secured the area to ensure the safety of the public. CSX personnel arrived shortly thereafter and assumed incident command, coordinating the ongoing response and recovery efforts,” Terziu said.
Terziu said he arrived on scene after the site was secured to “assess the situation with CSX representatives” and has “been working closely with CSX leadership to ensure the impacted area is safely cleaned and restored to normal operations as quickly as possible.”
No injuries were reported, however, Terziu said the derailed locomotive released “a minimal quantity of diesel fuel, which was quickly contained by response crews.”
A resident's vehicle was also damaged by a lightpole that was snapped during the incident, Police Chief James Carsto told the RO at the scene on Saturday.
Crews assess the damage following a derailment on March 14.
John L White - Arco Photography
The city manager said teams from CSX are still on site “and are continuing cleanup and recovery operations while prioritizing the safety of both workers and the surrounding community.”
“I want to personally thank the Hamlet Fire Department, Hamlet Police Department, CSX personnel, and all supporting emergency services for their professionalism, rapid response, and coordinated efforts during this high-stress situation,” Terziu said. “What we witnessed, and continue to see, is true teamwork and the ability of our responders to manage emergency situations confidently and effectively.”
Terziu also thanked state Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, “for his continued support and communication throughout the weekend as we worked through this incident and ensured the appropriate resources and coordination were in place.”
NOTE: This story has been updated to add a link to Saturday's story. 1:05 p.m. 3-16-26.
