Graniteville in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Graniteville Train Derailment
January 6, 2005
(Bottom of Center Panel):
Greater love hath no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
(Marker Left Panel):
At 2:39 am on January 6, 2005 a northbound Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailed after encountering an open switch and collided with a parked train on a siding track. 16 cars derailed, 1 chlorine car was breached releasing 160,000 pounds of chlorine gas.This resulted in 9 fatalities, sent 550 to local hospitals and 5400 people were evacuated.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:3
(Marker Right Panel):
This memorial is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the early morning hours on January 6, 2005.
Steven W. Bagby
Tony M. Deloach
Allen Frazier
John Henry Laird Jr.
Fred (Rusty) Rushton III
Christopher G. Seeling
Willie Charles Shealey
Joseph Lee Stone
Willie Lee Tyler
I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1799.
Location. 33° 34.022′ N, 81° 48.4′ W. Marker is in Graniteville, South Carolina, in Aiken County. Marker is on Canal Street (State Highway 191) near Aiken Road. Between Church Street and Aiken Road, off Canal Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Graniteville SC 29829, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Leavelle McCampbell School (within shouting distance of this marker); 200th Anniversary of the United States (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Graniteville Mill (about 600 feet away); William Gregg (about 600 feet away); Farm Bell (approx. ¼ mile away); Graniteville Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); WW I Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pickens - Salley House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Robert M. Bell Parkway (approx. 2.3 miles away); Kalmia (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Graniteville.
More about this marker. After passing the Graniteville Train Derailment Highway Homage look left.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Graniteville, South Carolina. The memorial is located in a small park near the intersection of Canal St and Aiken Rd. (Submitted on August 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Graniteville Train Disaster. The Graniteville train disaster is an American rail disaster that occurred on January 6 2005, in Graniteville, South Carolina. (Submitted on August 6, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Emergency Response Issues: What Went Wrong in Graniteville. Everyone appreciates what emergency responders do, but there is also a time for review and analysis to prevent the reoccurrence of errors, or an opportunity to improve response. (Submitted on March 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Effects of Deadly Train Crash Still Rumble Through Town. A year after a train crash spread a toxic plume of chlorine gas through this small mill town, John Logan, a 60-year-old handyman, continues to inspect property damage. (Submitted on March 15, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 6,145 times since then and 182 times this year. Last updated on August 27, 2008, by David Massey of Greensboro, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.