Two more trains derail in US

The back-to-back accidents come days after another freighter carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in Ohio

One man was killed following a collision with an oncoming train in southeastern Texas, causing more than a dozen cars to derail in one of two similar accidents on Monday. Another incident in South Carolina saw three cars come off the tracks.

The crash occurred in Splendora, Texas early on Monday morning, according to the East Montgomery County Fire Department. While authorities do not know how the collision with the 18-wheeler truck took place, local media have identified the victim as Michael Floran, 57.

“When the train impacted the cab it drug the trailer, cab, and everything all down the tracks about a half mile down the tracks,” said Splendora Police Chief Wally Wieghat. “The 18-wheeler was totally destroyed. It’s just pieces of it scattered up and down the railroad track.”

At least 21 cars operated by Union Pacific were derailed in the incident, leaving a portion of the tracks destroyed. Some of the cars were carrying household chemicals and a hazmat team has been called in to ensure there is no threat to emergency workers, police spokesman James Teller told a local news outlet.