Drone’s infrared camera helps check train’s derailed rail cars for fire near Lawrence
A drone’s infrared technology was used this weekend to help check for dangerous hot spots after about 40 rail cars of a Union Pacific Corp. coal train derailed near Lawrence, police said in a release.
The Lawrence Police Department assisted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday in checking the wreckage for any fires, according to the Lawrence Police Department. The pilots were able to share a live feed of the video from the drone with Union Pacific crews to coordinate their response and cleanup strategies.
Footage from the drone showed there were no hot spots or fires.
The derailment occurred about 5:10 p.m. Friday on Union Pacific tracks just north of North 1900 Road near Lawrence, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook. It caused significant damage to the rails and the railroad crossing in the area. Coal spilled from some of the rail cars.
The train was eastbound at the time of the derailment, Mike Jaixen, senior manager of communications for Union Pacific, in an email. No injuries were reported.
Crews worked on cleanup throughout the weekend and rail operation resumed early Sunday. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation, Jaixen said.
Due to the derailment’s proximity to the Lawrence airport, the Federal Aviation Administration coordinated air space over the area.
This story was originally published June 19, 2022 at 5:27 PM.
