Case Study:

Railroad Crash and Spill

Disaster Behavioral HealthRandal Beaton, PhD, EMT

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

Idaho, February 9, 2005

A freight train carrying chlorine gas hit a parked car Thursday at 2:30 AM, leaving eight people dead and injuring at least 240 others.

Incident scene personnel stated that all the deaths were the result of chlorine fume inhalation.

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

What are the behavioral health implications for coworkers, family members of the deceased and injured?

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

Nearly all the people injured in the railroad crash were suffering from exposure to the potentially deadly gas that can damage the respiratory and central nervous systems,as well as the throat, nose and eyes.

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

What are the behavioral health implications for:

– Coworkers, family members of thedeceased and injured?

– Victims with non-lethal exposures?

– Those who have no signs orsymptoms of exposure but“feel sick” and seek treatment?

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

Authorities ordered all 5,400 people within a mile of the railroad crash to evacuate because the chlorine was still leaking. People in the area exposed to chlorine from the railroad crash were told to report to decontamination units at two schools.

– Comment on this Risk Communication message and plan.

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

Most of the railroad crash injuries were treated for respiratory ailments and released, but at least 45 people were admitted to hospitals, according to authorities. Prior to the evacuation, residents nearby were instructed to stay inside their homes, and textile plants and schools in the area were closed and/or evacuated.

– Comment on this disaster plan.

Case Study: Railroad Crash and Spill

Finally, what are the long-term behavioral health implications of this disaster?

– For survivors?

– For family members of survivors?

– For family members of the deceased?