UNION (Union) — A freight train that derailed on a freight line has caused the suspension of NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line.

Video from ABC 7 Eyewitness News showed at least 11 cars and a tanker car derailed in a zig-zag pattern, with some of the track ripped up and twisted.

A Conrail spokeswoman told New Jersey 101.5 the derailment of a CSX train happened around 2 p.m. on tracks owned by Conrail and shared with NJ Transit. She said  the train was headed to Selkirk, New York. She said there were only freight cars involved and there were no reports of injuries.

Union Fire Chief Michael Scanio said people were evacuated from nearby homes and businesses but were being allowed to return to their homes by late afternoon after hazmat teams cleared the accident scene.

A Conrail spokeswoman told NJ.com that there were 100 cars on the train.

The spokeswoman said Conrail has taken control of the scene and will begin clean up and bring equipment in to clear the scene.

The derailment caused NJ Transit to suspend service on the Raritan Valley Line between Penn Station Newark and Cranford and between Raritan and High Bridge.

Cross honoring was in effect with NJ Transit and private carriers as well as on NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line.

NJ Transit implemented substitute bus service between Newark Penn Station and Cranford as well and stationed additional ambassadors in Newark to assist customers

The derailment also closed Green Lane near Kean University closing its entrance.

NJ Transit has not yet returned a message seeking additional information.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

 

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