Zoo train derails, 22 treated at hospitals

By Emily Udell – Courier Journal

A train shuttling about 30 visitors at the Louisville Zoo derailed this afternoon, injuring many of those on board.

One child was in critical condition and another was in serious condition at Kosair Children’s Hospital, said Brian Rublein, a spokesman for the hospital. Three other children were still being treated at the hospital late tonight, he said.

Zoo spokeswoman Kara Bussabarger said the derailment occurred behind the popular Gorilla Forest exhibit. The train’s three open-air cars and its engine overturned and came to rest on their sides about four feet from the track, she said.

The train has a capacity to carry 40 to 50 people and travels at an average speed of 12 miles per hour along a two-mile route.

Louisville Zoo train. (File, The Courier-Journal)

Three ride inspectors from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture began investigating the incident tonight, but their report was not expected to conclude for several days.

Attempts to reach a spokesman for the agency were not successful tonight.

A dispatch supervisor with MetroSafe Communications said emergency crews responded to the scene just after 4:30 p.m.

Around 5 p.m., ambulances had finished taking injured people from the zoo, and all of the train’s passengers had been removed, Bussabarger said.

Louisville EMS Director Neal Richmond said 20 people were transported to area hospitals and those injured ranged from a 2-month-old child to senior citizens. Two people were treated at the scene, Richmond said.

Map from Louisville Zoo.

Hospitals reported 22 people were being treated for injuries related to the derailment. Richmond said it is possible that some involved in the wreck may have arrived via private transportation.

One person who was briefly trapped in the derailment suffered serious, but not critical, injuries, he said. Another person was being evaluated for a potentially serious head injury, though most of the injured were being treated for cuts, scrapes and bruises.

The driver of the train was among those injured, but no information about that person’s condition was immediately available, Bussabarger said.

Cis Gruebbel, vice president of patient care services at Kosair, said 17 children were among the injured and were treated at the hospital. She said their injuries were “all over the map,” but would not elaborate.

David McArthur, a spokesman for University Hospital, said five adults who were injured were taken there. All of their conditions were considered better than serious tonight, McArthur said. At least four were expected to be discharged tonight.

Three cars and the train’s engine were on their side. (Courtesy WAVE3)

In a news release from the zoo, Richmond said: “There was real teamwork by EMS, fire and police and the zoo showed how a well thought-out and rehearsed emergency disaster plan can make all the difference — one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

“Emergency responders were able to get in and out very fast, and the zoo staff’s work helped make a very difficult scene one that we could effectively manage,” he said.

The train will be shut down until further notice, but the zoo and all exhibits will be open as usual, Bussabarger said.

The train that derailed is one of three used by the zoo to transport visitors on a track that encircles the zoo. Patrons pay $1.50 for a ride halfway around or $2.50 for a full loop.

Bussabarger said the train is driven by zoo employees who are certified by the zoo before they are allowed to operate it. She said she believed drivers were required to be at least 18 years old.

The train involved in the wreck has been in operation since 2000. Bussabarger said the train does not have safety belts because they are not required by the manufacturer.

She said she did not immediately know the zoo’s procedures for inspecting the trains and the tracks.

“I do not have that information at this time,” she said. “The inspectors are on grounds and it will all be in their report as well.”

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