Bensalem Hazmat Derailment
Bucks County Freight Train Derails in Bensalem, Prompts Hazmat Response and Shelter Order
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Key Points
1
There is a discrepancy in the reported scale of the derailment: some sources say about 5–10 freight cars derailed, while Times Now reports approximately 40 rail cars left the tracks.
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Different outlets pinpoint different derailment locations: Times Now cites East Bristol Road and Grove Avenue, whereas others report the incident occurring between Street Road and Neshaminy Falls Station.
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One tank car was carrying a flammable isopropanol solution, triggering HazMat precautions and containment efforts at the scene.
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All train movements through the area were suspended, with investigations underway and potential impacts noted for SEPTA’s West Trenton Line.
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Road infrastructure around the derailment was affected, including Bristol Road being closed between Brownsville Road and Old Lincoln Highway as responders work to secure the site.
A CSX freight train derailed in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania on June 30, 2026, sending at least 13 cars off the tracks near the Neshaminy Falls station. Authorities quickly issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents after discovering at least one tank car carrying isopropanol — a highly flammable chemical — among the derailed cars, according to NBC Philadelphia.
No injuries were reported. Emergency crews from Bensalem Police, Fire, EMS, and a Bucks County HazMat team rushed to the scene around 2:00 PM. WGAL reported that the derailment occurred between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls Train Station, shutting down rail service and closing nearby roads.
Flammable Chemical Triggers HazMat Emergency Response
At least two of the derailed cars were carrying hazardous materials, according to Head Top Topics. One tank car held isopropanol — also known as isopropyl alcohol — a highly flammable liquid. Inhaling its vapors can cause burning in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, as well as respiratory distress and loss of coordination.
Bucks County's Special Operations HazMat team set up containment at the site. An emergency alert went out to mobile phones in the area by around 2:45 PM. Residents were told to close windows, shut vents, and turn off air conditioning until further notice. ABC 7 reported that the evacuation order was later lifted as crews worked to secure the scene.
Scale of the Wreck: Conflicting Reports, 13 Cars Confirmed
Exactly how many cars derailed is disputed. Bensalem Police initially said 5 to 10 cars left the tracks. Some international outlets put the number as high as 40. Aerial footage from local news helicopters confirmed at least 13 cars off the rails, with several jackknifed or overturned, according to NBC Philadelphia.
Reports also differ on the exact location. WGAL and other local outlets placed the derailment between Street Road and Neshaminy Falls station. Other sources cited the intersection of East Bristol Road and Grove Avenue as the precise starting point of the wreck. Both locations are in the same corridor.
CSX Confirms No Crew Injuries, Investigation Underway
CSX Transportation confirmed it operated the freight train. The company's media relations manager, Jonathan Stuckey, said: "Our primary focus is on the safety of onsite personnel, the surrounding community, and the environment. CSX crews are currently on scene and working as safely and quickly as possible to restore the impacted site." The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
An emergency command post was set up at Neshaminy Mall to coordinate local, county, and railroad officials. Bristol Road was closed between Brownsville Road and Old Lincoln Highway. The Federal Railroad Administration is expected to scrutinize maintenance records for this stretch of track, according to Daily Mail.
SEPTA West Trenton Line Suspended, Commuters Hit Hard
SEPTA suspended its entire West Trenton Regional Rail Line due to the derailment. The line saw a 14% jump in ridership in recent years after closures on Interstate 95, making it a critical link for commuters between Philadelphia and Bucks County. No timeline for restoring service was immediately given.
The incident renewed concerns about rail safety in the Philadelphia region. The 2023 Norfolk Southern disaster in East Palestine, Ohio pushed Congress to draft stricter rail safety rules. ABC 7 noted that Pennsylvania legislators are now expected to renew calls for tougher state-level oversight of rail track maintenance following Monday's derailment.
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