Crews respond to train derailment on Highway 79 northeast of Stuttgart
ARKANSAS COUNTY, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Transportation said a train derailment was reported in Arkansas County Friday evening.
According to ARDOT, the train derailment was reported on Highway 79, just over four miles northeast of Stuttgart.
Officials said the area of the derailment was between Stuttgart and Ulm.
ARDOT officials said all lanes of Highway 79 are impacted due to the incident.
Union Pacific Railroad officials said they received reports of the derailment at 6:30 p.m. They said there was an unknown number train cars impacted in the derailment and added there is an operating team on the way to the incident from North Little Rock.
Courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Courtesy of Becky Kirchoff Courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Courtesy of Joanie Smith Courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
A crash report from ARDOT states that there are hazardous materials at the derailment site, adding that the materials are airbag inflators and airbag modules.
Stuttgart Fire Department officials said the blockage is expected to last for around eight hours.
There is no word yet on what caused the derailment.
Stuttgart police said there are believed to be no injuries at this time.
Authorities are asking people to avoid the area while crews work to clear up the crash.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
