No injuries after train derails in Shelby County

LATEST: State Road 9 has reopened, Indiana Department of Transportation tweeted at 6:28 p.m. Thursday

FOUNTAINTOWN, Ind. (WISH) — A train derailment in Fountaintown is causing traffic backups throughout Shelby and Hancock counties, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security said Thursday.

A CSX transportation train was heading westbound through Fountaintown when it derailed around 8 a.m. at Division Road and Railroad Street, Shelby County authorities said in a tweet. That’s just north of US 52 and west of State Road 9.

The derailed train was hauling 126 cars at the time, 47 of them loaded, authorities said.

The Indianapolis Fire Department said no one was injured in the derailment. Ten homes near the crash site were evacuated out of precaution.

The derailment knocked down power lines, resulting in nearly 450 homes being without power. The power is expected to be restored sometime between 2:30 p.m. and 12 a.m.

IFD said road closures could be in place for up to 24 hours. Those closures include State Road 9, US 52, Railroad Street and Division Road.

Shelbyville and Shelby Eastern Schools were contacted to reconsider bus routes after school due to the derailment.

Authorities plan to disentangle the railroad cars by 2 p.m. with hopes the rail will be repaired and in service within 24 to 48 hours.

An investigation into what caused the derailment is ongoing. Authorities are looking into several options including a possible failure of the front car wheels or a flaw in the track.

Investigators say the train engineer felt a “small jerk” before the emergency lights activated inside his car.

The investigation is ongoing.