A train wreck in Graniteville, SC, about a dozen miles from Augusta, GA, points out a glariing weakness in U.S. homeland security to an intentional attack on hazardous materials transportation systems. This was an accident, and eight are known dead. The ‘hot-zone’ in close proximity to the derailment has not yet been entered, and more casualties may be found when the area is clear. I can only shudder thinking about this type of incident happening in a densely populated area instead of in the relatively rural area where this incident occured. I hope my former colleague Ron Cockerille (who’s photo from the decontamination efforts appears at right) is making sure he avoids breathing too hard covering this story.
AugustaChronicle.com Picture Story here.
Chronicle story on the disaster here.
