2005 News Archive

Two trains… One track… Total tragedy

AUGUSTA, Georgia — On the night of January 6, 2005, a speeding Norfolk Railways train carrying tons of toxic chemicals slammed into a parked locomotive near the small South Carolina town of Graniteville.

The ensuing explosion sent clouds of lethal chlorine plumes billowing into the cold night air – and into homes and factories sprawled for miles along the railway line.
Nine people perished, hundreds more sustained life-threatening injuries and nearly 5,000 were evacuated from their homes.

The carnage could have been much worse, if not for the heroic efforts of various emergency teams, as well as the Graniteville neighbors reaching out to each other.
For residents of the area, the natural reaction was not to turn on the television, but to go outside – to see what was happening and if they could help. As the power to the surrounding neighborhoods was cut, residents were cut off from knowing the truth, and the danger it held.

In Un-Natural Disaster, due for release May 15, veteran investigative reporter and local survivor Nina Nidiffer chronicles the Graniteville story as only an insider can – including her brave/foolish venture into toxic territory to take the unforgettable photograph of the wreck, the photo later seen around the world.

Un-Natural Disaster explores the cause and effects of the tragedy and introduces a host of everyday heroes who came through in tremendous ways, big and small. Finally, the reader is lead to the ultimate questions: Could it happen again? Could it happen in your town?

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JENNIFER REYNOLDS AT (706) 738-0354 OR JREYNOLDS@BELLSOUTH.NET.