Train derails near NC-SC border. Flooding and rain played a part, officials say

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A freight train derailed in North Carolina Sunday, not far from the border with South Carolina as the states deal with the impact from Hurricane Florence.

Officials said that heavy rain and flooding caused by the deadly storm “may have played a part,” in the train wreck, WSOC-TV reported.

The crash occurred near 6 p.m. in Lilesville, Anson County, according to fox46charlotte.com. That’s less than 20 miles from the border with South Carolina, and approximately 50 miles from Charlotte.

The derailment involved several cars on the CSX train which was headed to Hamlet, N.C., per WBTV.

The train might have been transporting hazardous materials, according to WSOC-TV, which added that the weather from the storm made “things difficult,” for emergency responders.

A Hazmat team responded to the scene of the wreck, but no evacuations have been ordered, fox46charlotte.com reported.

CSX also sent people to the crash site, and released a statement.

“CSX personnel are responding to the scene and are in communication with Anson County emergency personnel as we work to assess the situation,” a CSX spokesperson said, per WSOC-TV. “The safety of everyone on site and the local community is our top priority.”

Train conductors were taken to an area hospital with “minor injuries,” according to fox46charlotte.com.

There is no word that any other have been reported.

A road was blocked because of the train crash, WBTV reported.