Update 12:15pm: The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office reports ALL roads have been reopened except Highway 67 between Minturn and Alicia. In addition, all evacuated residents have been cleared to return to their homes.
From the Jonesboro E911 Center:
At 2:36 am page alerts went out to the Hoxie Fire Department and Walnut Ridge Hazmat for what was thought to be a train derailment on the tracks on hwy 67 towards Minturn.
Once responders were on scene they found what appeared to be a head on collision between two trains. There are reports of a least two dead, several injured, a chemical spill, and one of the trains on fire.
At 3:30 am Lawrence County Sheriffs Office, Walnut Ridge Police Department and Hoxie Police Department began evacuating the south end of Hoxie. Walnut Ridge and Hoxie PD are going door to door evacuating people at this time. The Walnut Ridge Community Center has been opened up to take in the evacuees from Hoxie.
Lawrence County OES and ADEM were both notified of the disaster. Walnut Ridge Fire Department has called for assistance from Greene County and Randolph County Hazmat Teams.
Craighead County and the Arkansas State Police have brought in units to help block traffic on Hwy. 63 into Hoxie.
Representatives from Union Pacific are on their way to assess the situation.
Avoid traveling towards Hoxie because all roads are closed , Hwy 67 S and Hwy 63 N.
Instructions:
Please stay clear of this area, roadways closed in the area.
Read Region 8 News updated story here.
