Train workers reportedly sickened by ‘mist’ in downtown area

Published 12:45 am Sunday, December 29, 2019

Suffolk Fire & Rescue is investigating a reported mist in the downtown area that sickened two workers on a train after it passed through.

The incident was reported at 8:51 p.m., according to a Facebook post by the Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue. A Norfolk Southern train stopped at Lake Meade Drive and Lake Cohoon Road after two workers on the train took ill after the train reportedly passed through what was described as a mist at the Saratoga Street crossing, the post stated.

The workers were transported to Sentara Obici Hospital for further evaluation. Train traffic was stopped while the incident was investigated.

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Fire & Rescue personnel along with a representative from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Hazmat Team responded to the Saratoga Street area and did not find any sign of the noted mist, the post stated. Norfolk Southern officials called in a private hazmat company to evaluate the train before releasing it to continue traveling.

The incident remains under investigation.