Story Published:
Jan 6, 2009 at 7:26 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jan 7, 2009 at 11:23 AM EST
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. - Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of the deadly train crash and chemical spill in Graniteville.
Nine people were killed and more than 500 others injured from a train wreck in the Aiken County town January 6, 2005.
People laid flowers at the base of the memorial for the victims of the Graniteville train disaster throughout the day.
Gloria Swearingen awoke violently early morning, four years ago, to the worst train disaster in South Carolina's history.
"We heard an explosion, I mean a big, 'kaboom,'" said Swearingen. "We were gone a little after 3 o'clock. The wreck happened at 20 minutes to 3:00 a.m. There was no time. I said nope, you don't wait around for something like that."
After a railroad worker failed to switch a track, a train carrying chlorine gas smashed into a parked train, quickly releasing a cloud of gas that spread throughout the area.
"This was an oversight of somebody that did not do what they were supposed to do."
From the disaster, a lot was learned says G.V.W. Fire Chief, Phil Napier.
“Since this derailment, the federal railroad administration has enacted a lot of changes as far as operating and working in dark territory, strengthening the structure of chemical containers that they transport chlorine and other hazardous chemicals in," said Chief Napier.
But many citizens believe new regulations can't undo the damage done to the town of Graniteville, which lost its mills.
"No, the town hasn't recovered because we lost our industry,” said Chief Napier “We lost 1,600 jobs which had an impact on all small businesses and everything."
Currently, a few of the mills have been bought and local lawmakers are working to bring new businesses into the others.
Several lawsuits are still pending as victims try to get compensated for various health problems and damage to their properties.
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