Train Derailment Disaster Still Haunts Graniteville 20 Years Later

GRANITEVILLE — On Jan. 6, 2005, a Norfolk Southern train barreled along the tracks in this small town just west of Aiken. It was the middle of the night. As it neared the Avondale Mills textile plant, it veered off the tracks, resulting in a devastating train derailment that would change the town of Graniteville forever.

The derailment, which occurred twenty years ago, led to the release of chlorine gas into the air, causing widespread panic and destruction throughout the town. The accident tragically claimed the lives of nine people, with many more injured and hundreds forced to evacuate their homes.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the town of Graniteville came together to support those affected by the tragedy. Emergency responders and local residents worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped and provide aid to those in need. The accident also led to a significant overhaul of rail safety regulations, with a renewed focus on preventing such disasters from occurring in the future.

Today, twenty years on from the train derailment, the town of Graniteville continues to remember and honor the lives lost on that fateful night. A memorial has been erected in the town to commemorate the victims, serving as a poignant reminder of the tragedy and its ongoing impact on the community.

Despite the challenges faced by the town in the years following the accident, Graniteville has shown remarkable resilience and determination. The town has undergone significant redevelopment, with new businesses and homes being built, and a renewed sense of community and purpose.

As the town looks to the future, it does so with a continued commitment to safety and a deep respect for the lives lost in the train derailment. The disaster may have occurred twenty years ago, but its impact will never be forgotten, and the town of Graniteville will continue to honor the memories of those who tragically lost their lives on that terrible night.