TWC News Albany | July 7, 2014 | Column by Madeleine Rivera
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Sunday marked one year since the mass casualty incident in Quebec while a train carrying crude oil derailed. Thousands of miles could not distance two communities: one in Albany and other in canada.
"I feel like I knew them," said Verna Scott, an Albany resident.
She's referring to the 47 men, women, and children who all perished after an unmanned train derailed in Lac Megantic, Quebec one year ago. The train cars were carrying crude oil, the same type of fuel found in the tanks that sit behind the Ezra Prentice Homes in Albany.
On Sunday, a vigil was held not only to remember the victims, but to also spread a message. The incident that occurred in Lac Megantic could very well happen in Albany.
"I don't even know why they built these homes," said Scott, who's lived at Ezra Prentice Homes for three years.
Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to the federal government asking for outdated cars to be phased out. Several legislators have filed bills and have addressed crude oil safety.
Through songs, name-reading, and laying of flowers, residents showed they were united for a cause to increase crude oil safety and prevent tragedies like Lac Megantic.
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2014-07-07 14:40:57 -0400
