Front Royal Police Department assists in investigation of railroad derailment cleanup fatality

Front Royal, Va: On March 4, 2021, just after 2 p.m., a Norfolk Southern Railway Train with approximately 16 cars derailed in the Riverton Junction area of Depot Ave. It was confirmed there were no injuries at that time. Fire and Rescue units cleared the scene while Norfolk Southern began to mobilize clean-up and repair efforts.

At approximately 3:02 a.m. on March 5, 2021, emergency personnel from the Front Royal Police Department and Warren County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene regarding a worker who was critically injured while assisting with the cleanup effort. Upon arrival, it was determined Willie Ezra Phillips, 36, of Lesage, West Virginia had suffered fatal injuries resulting from the accident.

Upon request of Norfolk Southern Railway, detectives with the Front Royal Police Department initiated a death investigation. An investigator from the Northern District of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist. At this time, no foul play is suspected.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further details will be released.

(From an FRPD Press Release)

Warren County Fire & Rescue respond to train derailment