The immediate reason behind a train derailment that caused toxic chemicals to spew into the surrounding area was an overheating wheel bearing that got to 253C above ambient temperatures, an official report has found.
The town of East Palestine, Ohio, US, has been left devastated by the February 3 derailment which led to evacuations as well as lasting fears of air and water contamination.
The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board states that alarm messages were sent to the train's crew after the 23rd car, the one that was first to derail, "recorded the suspect bearing’s temperature at 253F (123C)" above ambient.
