Two trains involved in accident near Carey

SPRINGVILLE — Two trains were involved in an accident at Wyandot County's CH 3 early Monday morning. About 5:20 a.m., a person from the railroad reported to Wyandot County Sheriff's Office that one train had hit another. The accident involved CSX employees and occurred south of CR 58, between US 23 and CH 96. Engineer John Rubley and Conductor Michael Byrnes were on the northbound train, and Engineer Tyne McClendon and Conductor David Trapp were on the southbound train, according to a sheriff's office report. Byrnes told an officer the railroad goes from two rails to one between CH 5 and CH 3, and McClendon said he was attempting to alert Rubley he was not clear of the single rail by radio, flashing his lights and using his horn, it states. It appeared the northbound train entered the single rail before the southbound train was clear from it, according to the report. The northbound train struck rail cars hauled by the southbound train, which caused the northbound train's engine to derail on its side, along with about 12 rail cars total, it states. Sand and trash were being hauled, and the locomotive had 5,000 gallons of diesel. A person went to Wyandot Memorial Hospital, according to the sheriff's office report. A Carey Police Department spokesman said Carey Volunteer Fire Department, Carey and Upper Sandusky EMS crews and Wyandot County Sheriff's Office responded. Roads were closed in the area of the incident Monday. Special agents from CSX Police Department advised it would take about 24 hours to clear the track enough to open the road, the report states.