Train hits 18 wheeler and derails in Lookout Valley

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Fire and Police are on the scene of a train collision and derailment in Lookout Valley Thursday morning.

The train hit an 18 wheeler in the 400 block of Wauhatchie Pike.

Officials tell us the truck was cut in half by the collision.

The driver was pulled out of the wreckage in a ditch near the track and taken to the hospital.

Two other people have also been transported, but officials have not released more information on their injuries at this point.

Officials say 5,000 gallons of chemicals are on the ground from the train.

But they have no indication they are hazardous.

The good news is that they have determined the spill will not get into Lookout Creek, which feeds into the Tennessee River.

Bruce Garner from the Chattanooga Fire Department says they cleanup will take several hours.

Several of the train cars have been overturned.

Bruce Garner/ Chatt. Fire Dept.

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from Chattanooga Police Dept.