Several carriages of a freight train derailed Friday after a bridge collapsed in New Jersey, leaking flammable vinyl chloride which left at least 18 people ill. A local environmental cleanup company was dispatched to the scene near Paulsboro to place booms in the Mantua Creek to contain the spill, dpa quoted county officials as saying. At least 18 people were made ill by fumes released when at least two cars derailed at around 7 am (1200 GMT). They were being treated at a local hospital. People who live nearby were being evacuated and schools were placed on lockdown. Vinyl chloride may cause eye or throat irritation, headache and shortness of breath.
