20 years after Graniteville train tragedy, painful memories linger
GRANITEVILLE, S.C (WRDW/WAGT) - On Jan. 6, 2005, lives were lost and others were changed forever when two Norfolk Southern trains collided near the Avondale Mills Plant in Graniteville.
The crash released massive amounts of chlorine into the air.
Nine people died and 250 were treated for toxic chlorine exposure.
“These were some good people,” says Robert Wise, a Graniteville resident. “I knew three of them, three out of nine that ed away, and they were all very good people.”
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the crash brought death and destruction while many were sleeping.
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Today, a memorial honors those who were lost and those who were affected by the tragedy.
Since then, some say the town has come together, growing and becoming better than it was before.
But heart and breathing problems, body pain and emotional trauma linger for many.
“We did the breathing treatments, and we went through all that we had, went over to the hospital that night, and few of us got scrubbed down because they thought we might be contaminated,” says Wise. “Some are still worried about the effects of the chlorine.”
Reports show railroad officials, first responders and government leaders all identified lessons to be learned from the nation’s deadliest chlorine release.
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But crashes like that one still happen today.
Ones like the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals in East Palestine Ohio. More than two days of fires and controlled burns released hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air.
The Graniteville tragedy is one that will never leave the minds of many people.
“We’re just very thankful to have made it, to have survived,” Wise said last year on the 19th anniversary. “And unfortunately, some of our friends didn’t. ... And we we cry and we pray with all these people too, because we are so sorry.”
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Wise says it’s still a moment forever ingrained in his head.
“That night, people were leaving,” says Wise. “There were a couple of cars that ran into each other. People were trying to get out. And nobody could really believe it was happening. It was just a nightmare that came true.”
Two decades later Wise says Graniteville will always the tragedy claiming lives in his community, but says he will also the first responders who came from far and near to help.
“Just very thankful for all the heroes that came to our rescue that day, because they came from everywhere,” says Wise.
Neighbors say every day they’re still working to move on while also ing history.
They say it took the community coming together to heal twenty years ago and it will remain that way as they keep looking to build and grow.
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