Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Off Duty GPD Officer Injured In Derailment

A Gurdon Police officer was injured from debris thrown up from a derailed train Sunday, Aug. 4.

According to Jim Burns, Office of Emergency Services Coordinator for Clark County, the accident occurred around noon Sunday south of the Beirne crossing.

When Burns arrived at the scene, he found Clark County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Terry Palmer and GPD officer Don Childres already there.

Apparently, two of the rear wheels on the third car from the end of the 57 car train had come untracked.

According to Burns, the trains conductor, Melvin Crawford, said the tanker had contained a liquified petroleum gas, but was empty at the time of the derailment.

Burns said Rob Schultz, the local contact with Union Pacific Railroad, came to the scene as well.

Apparently, the wheels kicked up rocks which hit Childres, who was riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), in the head area.

Burns said there was never any danger of a chemical spill or leak with the accident, which UP cleared up quickly.

He said Childres appeared to have some cuts and scratches about the head area, but continued to the deer camp where he was originally heading.