Photo by BILL POEHLER/STATESMAN JOURNAL
A train derailed in north Salem on the afternoon of April 23 near the Oregon School for the Deaf.
Two train cars were knocked off of the tracks on Cherry Avenue north of Johnson Street. Train tracks were pulled from the ground.
The derailment happened at 12:43 p.m., according to Salem Police.
One of the cars on the Portland and Western train struck a semi truck on the north side of the railroad tracks.
Fernando Barajas was in his car just south of the train as it derailed. He said the train came off the tracks and shed its axles as it fell apart.
“The way it fell apart it seemed like something was stuck that caused it,” Barajas said.
Barajas said there was a group of children in the playground at Oregon School for the Deaf next to the railroad tracks, but that a teacher got them out of harm’s way once the train began to derail.
Barajas waited until the train cars came to a stop and checked on the truck driver, who had emerged from his truck and was fine.
Cherry Avenue is closed between Johnson Street and Salem Industrial Drive NE. Police said the closure could continue “through the night.”
Salem Police said that Broadway Street and Pine Street had been reopened by 3 p.m.
Multiple police, fire and medic units responded to the incident.
Crews said to expect cleanup to occur throughout the day.
