Ohio

NTSB to discuss cause of fiery Ohio freight train wreck, recommend ways to avert future derailments

Published

4 months ago

June 25, 2024

NTSB to discuss cause of fiery Ohio freight train wreck, recommend ways to avert future derailments

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Residents of an eastern Ohio village will learn more about the fiery wreck of a Norfolk Southern freight train last year that derailed their lives as another hearing gets underway Tuesday in their hometown, with the National Transportation Safety Board set to discuss the ongoing investigation and issue recommendations for averting future disasters.

Dozens of freight cars derailed Feb. 3, 2023, on the outskirts of East Palestine near the Pennsylvania border, including 11 carrying hazardous materials. Residents evacuated as fears grew about a potential explosion, and officials intentionally released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the air despite the potential health effects.

The NTSB said early on that an overheated bearing on one of the railcars that was not caught in time by trackside sensors likely caused the crash. Investigative hearings have since highlighted other possible contributors including widespread rail job cuts and rushed inspections. Investigators also delved into why officials chose to deliberately blow open the vinyl chloride cars and burn that key ingredient for making PVC pipes.

A key point Tuesday will be the expected release of NTSB recommendations for safety improvements. Though NTSB recommendations aren’t binding, it’s possible Congress will be willing to enforce some of them because of the spotlight cast on rail safety by the crash.

More than a year ago, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Ohio’s two senators proposed a package of reforms including requiring two-person crews and setting standards for the inspections and detectors that help prevent derailments. But that bill stalled in the Senate under resistance from Republicans and the railroads. GOP leaders in the House have said they didn’t want to consider new rail safety regulations until after the final NTSB report was released.

With limited success, federal regulators also pushed for the railroads to make changes like signing onto an anonymous government hotline to report safety concerns. And the industry responded to the crash by promising to install more trackside detectors, review the way they are used and help first responders improve their handling of derailments with more training and better access to information about the cargo.

For his part, Norfolk Southern’s CEO pledged to “make things right” in East Palestine with more than $100 million in aid to residents and the community. CEO Alan Shaw also hired a consultant from the nuclear power industry to recommend changes and tried to work with labor. Still, critics said Norfolk Southern was too often satisfied in the past with doing only the minimum required for safety and workers reported no big changes in day-to-day operations.

But after the derailment, all the major freight railroads pledged work to improve safety by adding hundreds more trackside sensors to help spot problems like overheating bearings and by re-evaluating how they analyze the data from those detectors. The Association of American Railroads trade group said the industry will review the NTSB report and look for additional ways to improve safety. But so far the industry’s efforts haven’t resulted in a significant boost in its safety record in the Federal Railroad Administration statistics.

Earlier this year, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told Congress that the agency’s investigation had determined that the controversial vent-and-burn operation that prompted evacuations and sent a huge plume of black smoke over the small town wasn’t necessary. Experts from the company that made the vinyl chloride, OxyVinyls, testified at the NTSB hearings they were certain a feared chemical reaction that could have caused those tank cars to explode wasn’t happening.

But Ohio’s governor, first responders and the hazardous materials experts who made that decision have said the information they had that day made them believe an explosion was likely imminent, making the burn their best option despite the risks of unleashing cancer-causing dioxins in the area.

The chemical manufacturer has declined to comment publicly on the situation that is already the subject of lawsuits beyond what its experts testified to last spring.

Norfolk Southern announced last week that it will lead an industrywide examination of how to improve the way vent-and-burn decisions are made in future derailments. That was part of its settlement with the federal government.

The NTSB has also looked at the struggles of first responders who didn’t immediately know exactly what was on the train after 38 cars jumped off the tracks, many spilling their contents and catching fire.

Federal officials finalized a new rule Monday that will require railroads to inform first responders about what is on a train immediately after a derailment. The industry says more than two million first responders now have immediate access to that information via an AskRail app that allows them to look up any train’s cargo.

____

Funk contributed to this story from Omaha, Nebraska, and Krisher from Detroit.

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Last Call: Questions, Players to Watch and Predictions for Ohio State’s Top-Five Matchup with Penn State

Published

7 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Press Room

Last Call: Questions, Players to Watch and Predictions for Ohio State’s Top-Five Matchup with Penn State

Ohio State is about to play a top-five opponent on the road for the second time in four weeks.

#3 Penn State

Nittany Lions

7-0 (4-0)

NOV. 3, 2024 – NOON

BEAVER STADIUM

University Park, PA

Twenty-one days after suffering a one-point loss at Oregon, Ohio State looks to prove it can win a big game today as it faces No. 3 Penn State at Beaver Stadium. There are plenty of questions surrounding the Buckeyes entering the matchup, particularly whether its offensive line will perform better than last week against Nebraska and whether its defense will perform better than it did against Oregon, and the Buckeyes will need their biggest stars to be at their best to beat the Nittany Lions and remain in control of their own destiny in the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff races.

With the high-stakes clash between the third-ranked Nittany Lions and the fourth-ranked Buckeyes set to kick off at noon on FOX, we discuss the biggest questions entering the game, highlight our top players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see in Happy Valley on Saturday.

Questions

Can the offensive line hold up against Penn State’s stout defensive line?

It’s the question everyone’s asking. With Ohio State down to its third-string left tackle (probably Donovan Jackson), can the Buckeyes possibly block Abdul Carter and the rest of that Nittany Lions defensive front?

OSU has to find a way to give Will Howard time under less-than-ideal circumstances to escape State College with a win. Not only does it need to hold up in pass protection, but if the Buckeyes run the ball like they did against Nebraska, it’s going to be lights out at Beaver Stadium. Hopefully, they’ll execute much better this time around.

– Garrick Hodge

Will the defense look elite?

Even if we assume Ohio State’s offense will have some struggles as it breaks in a new left tackle for the second game in a row, the Buckeyes can still beat Penn State if their defense plays like it’s supposed to. That’s how Ohio State beat Penn State last year, allowing only 12 points on 240 yards in a game where it scored only 20.

Ohio State’s defense failed its first big test of this season as it gave up 32 points on 496 yards against Oregon. But the Buckeyes are ostensibly even more talented on defense than they were last year; on paper, they should be the No. 1 defense in the country. To be that, however, they have to be able to lead Ohio State to victory in games of this magnitude.

– Dan Hope

Will the defense make stops in the fourth quarter?

The Ohio State defense hasn’t forced a fourth-quarter punt in the four games Jim Knowles has called against AP top-five teams: 2022 vs. Michigan, 2022 vs. Georgia, 2023 vs. Michigan and 2024 vs. Oregon. That’s correct. The 11 combined fourth-quarter drives ended like this: TD, Missed FG, TD, TD, FG, TD, TD, FG, FG, TD and FG. Whether the defense can break that trend on Saturday could be the difference between a win and a loss for the Buckeyes.

– Chase Brown

Are Chip Kelly and Ryan Day willing to lean on the passing game?

I’m not saying Ohio State should totally abandon its running game on Saturday, but it has a shuffled offensive line fresh off a game where the Buckeyes managed a meager 2.1 yards per carry. Though protecting Howard behind that line might be a challenge, he was still productive under pressure against Nebraska and the passing attack has been consistently prolific this season. Leaning toward the air might need to be the game plan if the ground fails to yield once again.

– Andy Anders

Players to Watch

Will Howard

Howard made it clear he wants to make a statement against his home-state team when he said Penn State “didn‘t think I was good enough” as a recruit, and that comment only increases the spotlight on Ohio State’s quarterback entering this game.

Howard has been one of the most efficient passers in the country this season, completing 74% of his passes for a quarterback rating of 183.9, which ranks second nationally. He’ll give the Buckeyes a chance if he continues to play at that level on Saturday, and Ohio State might need him to given the struggles its rushing offense has had over the past couple of weeks.

– Dan Hope

Donovan Jackson

Jackson has long been a standout offensive lineman for the Buckeyes, but they’re going to ask a lot out of him on Saturday. Assuming he plays left tackle, can Jackson hold his own playing out of position against one of the more talented pass rushers in the conference? How Jackson performs on this stage could determine what Ohio State’s lineup up front looks like for the rest of the season.

– Garrick Hodge

Denzel Burke

Burke is Ohio State’s top cornerback and supposed to be one of the best in the country, but he allowed eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s last big game against Oregon. He and the rest of the Buckeyes’ touted cornerbacks need to show up on Saturday, especially since Penn State has no receivers that average more than 50 yards per game.

– Andy Anders

JT Tuimoloau

Thanks, Dan, Garrick and Andy. Here’s the last and best pick: JT Tuimoloau. The senior defensive end was a game-wrecker in Ohio State’s wins over Penn State in 2022 and 2023. On Saturday, I’ll pick him to be a game-wrecker for a third consecutive season. It may not be the six-tackle, three-tackle-for-loss, two-sack, two-interception performance we witnessed in State College two years ago, but if he can contribute even half those numbers in the top-five matchup, the Buckeyes will be more than pleased.

– Chase Brown–

Predictions

Jeremiah Smith will break all the freshman records

Jeremiah Smith enters today’s game needing just seven receptions, 26 receiving yards and one touchdown catch to break Cris Carter’s single-season records for an Ohio State freshman in all three of those categories. I expect Smith to hit all of those numbers, which would also mean tying TreVeyon Henderson’s record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown by an Ohio State freshman to start his career, with a standout performance in the national spotlight.

– Dan Hope

Big Game James pulls a Big Game James move

It’s like that famous congressional line: You know it when you see it. I can’t predict what exact mishap James Franklin is going to commit in this top-five matchup, whether it’s a botched substitution, chasing points too early or running a draw on 4th-and-5, but whenever he makes an egregious, potential game-changing mistake, you’ll move to the edge of your couch, point at the TV, and shout, there’s Big Game James!

– Garrick Hodge

Two sacks for JT Tuimoloau

Ohio State’s defensive end posted perhaps the best defensive performance in school history the last time the Buckeyes played at Beaver Stadium, with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble he recovered, two interceptions with a pick-six and a pass deflection that turned into another interception. His outing in the Shoe against the Nittany Lions was excellent as well; he got a sack, batted down a pass and put Penn State quarterback Drew Allar under consistent pressure.

Tuimoloau’s season gained some steam against the Huskers too, with five tackles, two TFLs and a sack. The Buckeyes need him, Jack Sawyer and the rest of the defensive line to get after Allar in the pass rush, and I think he delivers.

– Andy Anders

Caleb Downs gets his first interception of the season

Ryan Day and Jim Knowles both commented on the weapon Tyler Warren is and can be for Penn State’s offense. Who will those coaches call upon to cover Warren? More often than not, I think that answer will be Downs. The Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist has been one of Ohio State’s best defenders this season. However, he’s yet to record his first interception seven games into the year. I think that changes on Saturday while he flies around the field to cover Warren.

– Chase Brown

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Five-Star Guard Chooses Kansas Over Ohio State, Several Other Schools

Published

17 hours ago

November 1, 2024

Press Room

Five-Star Guard Chooses Kansas Over Ohio State, Several Other Schools

The wait is officially over.

Darryn Peterson was one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 recruiting class and the Ohio State Buckeyes were among his top four choices. Joining the Buckeyes as finalists were the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats and the USC Trojans.

In a battle of Big Ten versus Big 12, the Ohio native chose the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night.

The Jayhawks are getting the the No. 3 player in the nation according to 247 Sports. He is also considered the No. 1 combo guard in his class.

Peterson is officially the first commitment for Bill Self’s Kansas squad in the 2025 class.

Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Prolific Prep (Napa, California) combo guard and Ohio State basketball target Darryn Peterson watches OSU football warm up before the Buckeyes’ 52-6 win over Akron. / Lori Schmidt/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

This spring and summer, he averaged an impressive 23.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In three of his team’s games, he posted over 30 points.

As the prolific 6’6″ scorer becomes Kansas’ highest-rated recruit since Josh Jackson in 2016, the Ohio State Buckeyes can move on to other targets.

The Buckeyes already hold commitments from two players in the 2025 class and two in the 2026 class as well. Four-star shooting guard Dorian Jones (2025) announced his commitment to Ohio State in July and four-star power forward A’mare Bynum (2025) committed on October 22nd.

As for other potential commitments on the horizon, four-star power forward Niko Bundalo is down to four finalists and so is four-star shooting guard Davion Hannah (Bynum’s high school teammate).

Both players are expected to announce their commitments in November, which means the Buckeyes have more chances at getting some excellent news.

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Cincinnati’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge fire recalls other fires, disasters on Ohio bridges

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Press Room

Cincinnati’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge fire recalls other fires, disasters on Ohio bridges

A massive fire engulfing the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and Interstate 471 over the Ohio River might have Cincinnati residents recalling another major blaze that cut a major route between Ohio and Kentucky.

In 2020, the Brent Spence Bridge that carries interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River was closed for weeks following a crash that sparked a huge fire.

Here’s a look back at that disaster and other bridge fires and collapses around Ohio.

Fiery crash closes Brent Spence Bridge, I-71/75, over Ohio River for six weeks in 2020

Brent Spence Bridge on I-75 closed after fire, crash

A boat sprays water on a semi on fire on the Brent Spence Bridge early Wednesday. The fire followed a crash involving 2 semis. One truck was carrying potassium hydroxide. The bridge will be closed until it can be inspected.

Emily Rowekamp, Provided

On Nov. 11, 2020, a truck carrying potassium hydroxide crashed into a jackknifed truck on the Brent Spence Bridge, causing a major fire that ended up closing the Ohio River span for six weeks.

According to 911 calls, the Old Dominion semi driver who crashed into a jackknifed truck didn’t have time to grab Hazmat paperwork before fleeing the truck, the Enquirer reported previously.

“It started on fire, and I just jumped out,” he said, telling a dispatcher that he couldn’t grab the paperwork in time.

Neither he nor the driver of the jackknifed rig were injured.

Repairs to the bridge included new steel support beams and new sections of concrete on the upper and lower decks. The U.S. Department of Transportation made $12 million in federal funds available for emergency repairs.

The bridge, which carries more than 160,000 vehicles a day and is one of the busiest trucking routes in the United States, reopened on Dec. 22, 2020.

Tanker catches fire on state Route 8 in Macedonia Saturday

The crash closed the highway both ways.

Tanker crash kills driver, sparks fire on Route 8 ramp to I-271 in January 2024

On Jan. 27, the driver of a diesel tanker was killed after driving off a bridge at the Interstate 271 entrance ramp from state Route 8 north of Akron.

The truck, carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel, exploded, causing a huge fire that closed the bridge for a few days, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. It reopened after inspections showed the damage didn’t affect the bridge’s structural integrity.

Miamitown Bridge collapses during flooding in Cincinnati on May 26, 1989

A temporary bridge over the Great Miami River collapsed during widespread flooding on May 16, 1989, according to media reports, sending four cars into the water. At least two people drowned, WCPO reported.

In November 1990, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report blaming the Hamilton County Engineer’s Office for three factors that contributed to the bridge collapse, according to WCPO. Those included:

Selection of a design by National Engineering, the company that built the bridge, that did not consider lateral loads
Failure to submit the bridge design plans to the Ohio Department of Transportation for review as required by state law
Failure to promptly close the bridge when it became subject to significant debris loading

Silver Bridge span from Gallipolis collapses into Ohio River on Dec. 15, 1967

The Silver Bridge spanned the Ohio River from Gallipolis to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Opening to traffic in 1928, it was the first bridge in the nation to use an innovative eyebar-link suspension system rather than a traditional wire-cable suspension, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

However, one of those eyebars had a small, unseen defect. The faulty eyebar eventually cracked and began to corrode, out of sight of the public or bridge inspectors. At about 5 p.m. on December 15—during rush hour—the eyebar failed, setting off a series of other failures that caused the bridge to collapse. Thirty-one vehicles plunged into the Ohio River, killing 46 people.

This story was updated to add a video.

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