Tanker Hauling 30K Gallons Of Propane Overturned In Manatee: Chief

Updated: 10:08 p.m., Tuesday

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Six cars, including a tanker carrying 30,000 gallons of propane, overturned during a Seminole Gulf Railway train derailment near the border of Manatee and Sarasota counties Tuesday morning, officials said.

Five railcars and two propane tankers went off the tracks in the 7200 block of 16th Street E., near Tallevast Road, according to a Manatee County news release.

The derailment was reported at 11:18 a.m., Fire Chief Robert Bounds, Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue, told Patch.

Seminole Gulf Railway, based in Fort Myers, has more than 100 miles of railway in South Florida and offers freight train shipping, cold storage and murder mystery dinner train experiences.

The railcars were hauling sheetrock through Manatee County when they derailed, Bounds said.

Both tankers that went off the tracks contained 30,000 gallons of propane, but only one overturned, the fire chief.

“Thankfully, after crews got on the scene and ascertained (the derailment) they detected no leaks and no damage,” Bounds said. “It was just lying on its side. Another (tanker) was off track but standing upright.”

It will likely take “several days to clean up,” he said.

Workers need to remove the propane from the tanker before it can be moved, according to the county.

“The scene is safe. The local fire department cleared the area. No releases occurred. No one was injured (employees or trespassers,)” Laura Fay with Seminole Gulf Railway told Patch.

She added, “There has been no impact to the local community. No evacuation is necessary. We’re working with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to provide ample security until the railcars and tracks are corrected. Rough estimated date for completion of all corrections is Monday, 3/6/23.”

Patch has reached out to Seminole Gulf Railway for comment. This story will be updated when the company responds.

Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Manatee County Public Safety personnel responded to the derailment.

The massive Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that released pollutants into the environment, was on everyone’s mind as fire crews responded to Tuesday’s derailment in Manatee County, Bounds said.

“Regardless of what happened in Ohio, whenever you deal with 30,000 gallons of liquid propane, there’s an unknown factor with potential for what could happen,” the fire chief said. “That’s our business.”

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Manatee County Board of County Commissioners chair, said. “We are proud of our first responders. Their quick action has helped maintain the safety and security of our citizens.”