Response training held as investigation into Northampton County train derailment continues | Lehigh Valley Regional News

L. SAUCON TWP., Pennsylvania – After the massive train derailment in Northampton County in March that sent two locomotives plunging into the Lehigh River, local emergency response training is being stepped up.

On Saturday, first responders and emergency managers met for an eight-hour training on responding to railroad car accidents at the Northampton County Emergency Operations Center.

Officials say the training is important because most freight rail traffic passes through suburban and rural areas, such as the section of Lower Saucon Township where the derailment occurred.

Federal authorities are still investigating the March derailment. A preliminary NTSB report from the spring said an eastbound Norfolk Southern train was stopped at a signal when it was struck from behind by another freight train.

As a result of the accident, three cars fell onto the adjacent tracks.

Less than a minute later, a westbound train collided with them.

Investigators cannot yet say why the first train was stopped.

It could take a year or more for the final report to be published.