Darlington residents share impact, concerns of East Palestine train derailment
Timmins says he also has concerns when it comes to leasing out his fields.
DARLINGTON TWP., Pa. - Nearly three weeks after the train derailment in East Palestine upended the lives of people living there...communities like Darlington, Pennsylvania--just across the state line are sharing the impact.
Between the township and borough...Darlington is made up of about 2,000 residents. A few dozen of those were within the one-mile evacuation radius and were forced to leave their homes. Although most residents have returned home, like East Palestine--concerns still remain.
"Everything they've been saying about contamination whether it be water--we have a stream in our backyard and we run off of well water.", said William Hawkins, a Darlington resident, and as is the case for everyone.
Closer to the state line, and less than a mile from the derailment site, lives Thad Timmins, who owns 32 acres of land where he tends to a large garden, farm animals, and also leases out a portion of his land.
"We were forgotten about out here until Monday.", Timmins said, sharing a sentiment felt by many residents.
Timmins has two donkeys and 30 chickens--he tells me he had to leave his chickens behind for four days, with plenty of food and water. The donkeys stayed in another part of the county...and while all the animals are okay--Timmins is concerned about the long term as well as the air, soil, and water quality.
"The well water, I wonder over time when that stuff soaks down in the ground--what's going to come about of it.", Timmins explained.
Timmins gave 21 News reporter Corey McCrae a tour of his land, where a stream cuts through.
"I told different people that I want to get this tested", he said, but Timmins adds he still hasn't received a test.
The end of his property borders the railroad tracks, and sits a quarter-mile from where the train derailment happened, and next to State Line lake.
"I can find you the pieces of debris that we have laying out here--but you can't really get much closer than to where we are.", said Timmins.
Timmins says he also has concerns when it comes to leasing out his fields.
"If my farmer can't farm it, then I'm losing money and he's losing money.", Timmins added.
Darlington township fire chief Chris Laderer tells me they've been a helping hand in the community as the recovery efforts continue. He says the fire department which is comprised of all volunteers, have been handing out bottles of water by the pallet all week, and will continue to do so. He says they're going through the process of replacing gear that was used in battling the fire in East Palestine.
Senator Doug Mastriano is hosting a senate hearing Thursday at 10 AM at the Community College of Beaver County, at 1 Campus Drive in Monaca. The hearing will focus on the emergency response and subsequent controlled chemical burn. Testimony from concerned residents will also be heard.
