Multi-Fatality Emergency Vehicle Accidents in North Carolina

On September 19, 2026, an apparatus accident in Granville County killed three civilians, when an SUV rear-ended a pumper at an accident scene on Interstate 85 near Oxford, NC. What’s the historical perspective on multi-fatality emergency vehicle accidents in North Carolina? Here’s take one of results: Summary Date Department / Vehicle County Fatalities Responders Civilians …

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Amtrak Hostage Situation in Raleigh – October 1982

Looking back at the three-day hostage situation that unfolded at Seaboard Station in downtown Raleigh starting on Friday, October 8, 1982. These pics originated from News and Observer and Raleigh Times photographers (and likely others) and were transmitted far and wide, via AP and UPI. Question for older timers, how far/close was the yellow tape …

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Selma Amtrak Train Derailment – May 16, 1994

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from September 13, 2026. Looking back at the May 1994 derailment in Selma that killed a crew member and injured 121 people. Found a couple photos from newspaper coverage. Looking for others. On May 16, 1994, at 4:36 a.m., Amtrak Train 87 and CSX freight train …

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Elm City Derailment and Haz-Mat – May 11, 1987

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from September 14, 2026. Looking back at the May 11, 1987, derailment and haz-mat incident south of Elm City in Wilson County. At about 10:30 a.m., at least 27 cars of a CSX freight train derailed. Many were overturned and started leaking sulfuric acid. Some 2,800 …

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Lenoir County Fireworks Explosion – June 10, 2022

See related postings about fireworks incidents and disasters in this series: Part 1 | Part 2  | Part 3 Looking back at the outside fire that ignited fireworks stored on a farm in Lenoir County on June 10, 2022. The resulting explosion killed a farmer and injured three firefighters.  This incident occurred at 4871 Bulltown …

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Southern Produce Warehouse Fire – March 1988

In Duplin County in March 1988, a refrigerated produce warehouse operated by Southern Produce Distributors was destroyed by fire. The building was located on Highway 403, just west of Faison. The building measured approximately 275 feet long, 300 feet wide, and 30 feet high—about 82,500 square feet. A passing motorist discovered the fire at approximately …

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News & Observer Coverage of Imperial Foods Fire – September 3, 1991

Presenting reporting by the Raleigh News & Observer on September 4, 1991, the day after the deadliest structure fire in the state’s history in Richmond County, at a food processing plant in Hamlet.  “Let me out!” victims scream Fire at Hamlet chicken-processing plant kills 25 49 injured as doors bar safety routes By Julie Powers …

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Bitter Blood Shooting, Chase, and Vehicle Explosion – Guilford County – June 3, 1985

Photo source: Summerfield Fire District posting on Facebook Bitter Blood Shooting, Chase, and Vehicle Explosion Guilford County, North Carolina — June 3, 1985 Chronological narrative created by ChatGPT and compiled from the Greensboro News & Record, June 4, 1985. Plus annotations by Legeros By June 3, 1985, law-enforcement officers in North Carolina and Kentucky were …

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Emergency Landing of AirTran Airways Flight 913 in Greensboro – August 8, 2000

Looking back at the emergency landing of AirTran Airways Flight 913 on Tuesday, August 8, 2000. About twenty minutes after the DC-9 departed Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport at ~3:15 p.m., the pilot reported thick smoke in the cabin. The captain declared an emergency and requested permission to return to the airport. The jetliner was …

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Nine Killed in Car Train Collision in Charlotte, 1931

This is a blog version of a Facebook posting on July 30, 2025. In the wake of last week’s multi-fatality accident on I-485 that killed six people in a three-vehicle collision, let’s look back at the worst car accident in the history of the Charlotte area. Early Saturday morning, December 26, 1931, nine people were …

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