RAILROAD TO RE-EXAMINE NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

BENTON, Ill. -- Illinois Central Railroad officials say they'll review how they notify local authorities after being criticized over their handling of a wreck last Friday.

The derailment in Franklin County spilled almost 20,000 gallons of a hazardous chemical. No one was hurt.

Local officials complained they weren't notified quickly enough. Art Bourland, county emergency services director, said he wasn't told until a newspaper called him more than 12 hours after the accident.

"Maybe they think we are a bunch of idiots down here who, if called, are going to bring the wife, 15 children and the pet pig to the scene along with us," Bourland said.

Illinois Central spokeswoman Ann Thoma said the railroad, which learned of the derailment at 2:15 a.m. Friday, thought local authorities were being notified.

The derailment north of Thompsonville involved nine cars and a tanker holding hazardous tetrachloroethylene.

Thoma said Illinois Central officials contacted the U.S. and Illinois environmental protection agencies as well as the companies whose products were being transported.