JeffCo EMA: Train Derailment Rumor Is 'Poor April Fools Joke'

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL - Reports of a train derailment in Walker and Jefferson counties Monday has been determined to be an April Fools' Day hoax. The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency issued a statement, calling the news "a poo April Fools' joke."

The initial report was that a train had derailed in the West Jefferson/Quinton areas, including an evacuation order, which was posted on Facebook. The JCEMA posted a statement saying, "There is NO train derailment in the area, according to both CSX and BNSF Railways, and there is NO evacuation order anywhere in Jefferson County."

The EMA added, "If there was, it would be posted on our social media pages, as well as an official message from our office through the Everbridge emergency notification system."

The originator of the post, and subsequent pictures and information about this false incident and evacuation has admitted to it being an April Fools joke, according to the EMA.

The JCEMA also stated a reminder that similar hoaxes are illegal. "Also, for anyone else thinking about causing mass panic, Section 13A-11-11 of the Criminal Code of Alabama, it is against the law to falsely report an incident of this type."